From Mba Nnenna- Abakaliki
The management of Ebonyi state University, EBSU Abakaliki has debunked the allegation that “Property of EBSU” are “auctioned when they are still in good use”.
The Vice Chancellor, EBSU, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu made this known during a press briefing with journalists at his office, in Abakaliki.
Prof. Ogbu who was accompanied by the Deputy VC Administration, Prof. Chika Nwafor and other members of the institution, explained that the press briefing is in reaction to a rumour that equipment of the University is been sold by the University.
According to the VC, “no single property of EBSU has ever been auctioned when they are still in good use.
The DVC, Administration, while corroborating the VC’s story over the alleged selling of the ‘University Tata Tipper’, explained that the driver of the University Tipper had raised alarm and reported that he was informed through a phone call that men in army uniform from Ebonyi State Government came and towed the tipper from where he parked it, to an unknown destination. Based on his written information, the Vice Chancellor, directed the Deputy VC to find out if truly the vehicle was taken to Government House.
The DVC Administration went to Government House in company of the tipper driver, to meet the Chief Security Officer, Government House who refuted the allegation and stated that Ebonyi state Government is not involved in the missing University tipper. During interrogation of the driver by the CSO, it was discovered that the driver’s statement was contradictory; having initially told the university authorities that the truck was parked at Mechanic Village for repairs, now changed his statement that it was parked in a widow’s compound.
The Police was then invited by the CSO to handle the case so as to recover the missing vehicle. During police investigations, the driver revealed the phone number that called earlier to inform him that the tipper was towed by Government House officials in Army Uniform.
Through the phone number, the police discovered the towing Van that moved the vehicle to a thick forest at the boundary between Ikwo LGA and a Cross River Community. The tipper was later recovered by the police after a gun battle with the hoodlums, and currently parked at the Cabinet Office, Abakaliki. On recovery, it was discovered that the tipper had been completely refurbished and repainted to blue by the hoodlums. Meanwhile, the original colour was yellow.
The management of EBSU while reiterating that the tipper was never placed for sale, as reported by one Chika Nwoba on social media, further urged the public to disregard the post, tagging it as “malicious allegation” by the writer.
Meanwhile, investigation is still going on for the Case.
