AAU debunks financial impropriety allegations against governing council

The Management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, on Monday, dismissed allegations of financial impropriety levelled against the new Governing Council of the institution by an online media platform.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, Principal Assistant Registrar (Information, Communication, and Public Relations), described the report as “fact turned on its head” and “sponsored write-up intended to cry wolf where there’s none.”

It would be recalled that an online medium reported that the Odafen-led Governing Council, at its first meeting, allegedly ordered the transfer of the university fund from the First Bank to Globus Bank for fixed depositing for 3 and 6 months, a development which the stakeholders say is hurting the management of the university, including prompt payment of salary in the university.

According to the online report, the alleged transfer from the university’s First Bank Account and the fixing of the university’s fund, amounting to more than #1.5 billion naira, for 3 and 6 months in Globus Bank had some influential and powerful personalities in the Governing Council and Government with business interest.

Aladenika, who dismissed the allegations as baseless and aimed at demarketing the university, said, “It’s unfortunate that some individuals have become tools for divisive elements seeking to bring the institution down.”

Responding to the allegation of financial impropriety levelled against the Governing Council, Aladenika stated, “At the Governing Council’s first meeting, members reviewed the university’s financial records and discovered idle funds in various accounts. To maximise returns, the council chose Globus Bank’s 15% interest rate offer, expected to yield at least ₦100 million in interest. This will help offset financial burdens.”

Aladenika emphasised the importance of seeking information and verifying facts, saying, “We urge stakeholders to disregard baseless allegations and support the university’s progress.”

Aladenika equally called on the leadership of the University’s Chapter of ASUU to allow a convivial atmosphere of mutual understanding to try to collectively grow the institution

Aladenika, who stated this in reaction to a press release issued by the union, said, “Our comrades in ASUU may mean well in their various demands in their release, but should know that life is give-and-take ASUU and other unions, associations, co-exist in this ecosystem. We should all have ideas that AAU has the potential to be greater than what we have now.

“Three months in the life span of the Governing Council may not be enough for it to be able to address the catalogues of problems inherited from the SIT.

“Is it the backlog of unpaid salaries, the non-promotion of staff, the non-conducive working atmosphere, among other things that were inherited but have now been addressed?

“The Governing Council led by its Chairman, Dr Omo-Ehijele Frank Odafen, is working. Let’s continue to support them. Workers have been appraised and promoted. Those removed from the payroll have been restored and have gradually been paid. Those who were allegedly victimised have gotten justice. The Truths and Reconciliation Panel is attending to hundreds of petitions.”

The university spokesman said that over 90% of staff and students in the Ambrose Alli University community are happy with the Dr Omo-Ehijele Frank Odafen-led Governing Council and solicited the support and confidence of all.