A legal practitioner, Nurat Usman, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking an investigation into alleged financial irregularities, procurement violations and concerns over the management of public funds during the tenure of former University of Calabar (UNICAL) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zana Akpagu.

 

Akpagu served as vice-chancellor of the university between 2015 and 2020.

 

The petition, dated September 18, 2026, was addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and acknowledged by the commission on September 22, 2026. A copy of the acknowledged petition was made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja.

 

Usman said the request for an investigation was based on concerns reportedly raised in the Presidential Visitation Panel Report and the Federal Government White Paper on the university’s activities between 2016 and 2020.

 

Concerns Over Procurement and Project Execution

According to the lawyer, the documents highlighted issues relating to procurement procedures, alleged contract splitting, compliance with due process and the execution of projects funded through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Needs Assessment intervention programme.

 

Usman alleged that some projects initiated during the period remained incomplete despite the allocation of public funds.

 

The situation, she argued, raised questions about the management of the funds, the execution of contracts and the level of accountability in the university’s administration at the time.

 

However, the allegations contained in the petition have not, in the information provided, been established as findings of criminal wrongdoing against Akpagu or any other individual.

 

Lawyer Seeks Forensic Audit of UNICAL Finances

As part of the requested investigation, Usman urged the EFCC to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the university’s financial transactions and procurement activities throughout Akpagu’s tenure.

 

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She specifically called for scrutiny of TETFund interventions, Needs Assessment projects and other capital expenditures undertaken during the period under review.

 

The petition also asked the commission to investigate contractors and companies allegedly paid substantial sums for projects awarded or executed during the period.

 

According to Usman, examining the relevant transactions and project records would help establish whether the funds were properly utilised and whether procurement regulations and other applicable financial rules were followed.

 

Call for Accountability in Public Institutions

The legal practitioner maintained that a thorough and independent investigation would help clarify the issues raised in the visitation panel’s findings and determine whether any individuals or corporate entities should be held accountable.

 

She also stressed the need for transparency in the management of public resources, particularly funds allocated to infrastructure, educational facilities and improved learning conditions in tertiary institutions.

 

The petition urged the EFCC to exercise its statutory powers to examine the transactions identified in the relevant reports and establish the propriety or otherwise of the activities under scrutiny.

 

What Happens Next?

The petition places the alleged financial and procurement concerns before the EFCC for possible investigation. However, the acknowledgement of a petition by the commission does not, on its own, establish that a formal investigation has commenced or that the allegations are proven.

 

Any determination of wrongdoing would depend on the outcome of the relevant inquiries and the evidence obtained.

 

The matter also highlights the importance of effective oversight of public university finances, particularly where government-funded intervention programmes are involved.

 

No response from Akpagu or the University of Calabar was included in the information provided.