The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating the acting Vice-Chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, over allegations involving contract fraud, nepotism, and abuse of public office.

This is according to a petition received by the EFCC and obtained by SaharaReporters which listed out some of the alleged infractions by the school management.

The petition was written by a legal firm, Shield and Sword Consult, for some members of staff in the university who are the clients.

“Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha is currently the Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State (formerly known as Anambra State University) and since she assumed that office, which also automatically placed her as the chairman of the University’s Tenders Board, our clients have been witnesses of her reckless disregard for adherence to due process and a penchant for awarding contracts to her son – Mr. Nelson Omenugha and one Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka, who uses multiple companies all registered by him, blatantly,” the petition alleges.

According to the document, the contracts in question include several large-scale university projects funded under the TETFUND Special High Impact Project Intervention Phase XIV 2024V/FXS13, valued at ₦4 billion. The intervention was reportedly split into eight lots—four construction contracts and four consultancy contracts.

“The 4 construction contracts and the 4 consultancy contracts were awarded to Fibelle & Mibble Ltd., Humblerock Ltd., FIDES ET RATIO Ltd., Field Mashal Integrated Engineering Concept Ltd. All registered to Mr. Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka.”

The petition also notes that payments had already been initiated by one of the companies and approved by the Acting Vice Chancellor.

“At the time of these awards, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other related anti-graft agencies were already prosecuting the said contractor.”

Despite the ongoing investigations, the Ag. Vice Chancellor allegedly continued to facilitate contracts with the said entities. “The attention of the Ag. Vice-chancellor was called to this information which was in the public domain, but she rebuffed it, because of her vested interest in the contract and the contractor.”

In one of the projects cited, the University’s perimeter fence at the Igbariam campus—which had collapsed since 2010 — was neglected until 2024, when “the Ag. Vice-chancellor and her son, embarked on a facelift of the gatehouse without the input of the University’s Director of Physical Planning and, without any valuation by the Council haven been done, as required by law.”

“This gatehouse facelift, alleged to have been carried out by the Ag. Vice-chancellor’s son, Nelson Omenugha has gulped millions of naira ranging from N65m, (Sixty-five million) to N110m (One hundred and ten million naira). This contract violates Part XI (s. 10) and s. 12 (a, b, c, d, e, f, and g) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.”

Another project flagged is the Solar Street Lighting initiative at the College of Medicine, Amaku, Awka, allegedly executed for ₦20million by Nelson Omenugha. The contract, the petition claims, lacked proper bidding and valuation.

“There was no valuation by the Director of Physical Planning nor was there a bid for the contract. This contract was in violation of Part XI (s. 10) and s. 12 (a, b, c, d, e, f, and g).”

The project is reportedly non-functional. “Two batteries were procured with some solar panels. This project has never worked in the college with the students left in darkness. The contract sum was paid into the account of the Ag. Vice-chancellor’s son by the University. The Ag. Bursar will be able to provide proof of payment and account details.”

In another revelation, the Acting Vice Chancellor allegedly used her office to initiate a business deal with the university to distribute only her family’s table water brand across campus.

“In 2024, the Ag. Vice-chancellor through her children took advantage of her office to enter a business transaction with the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, to sell only their family table water (KONCIO) within the entire University premises. KONCIO table water and KONCIOO Enterprises Ltd. has Kate Azuka Omenugha and her children as Persons with Significant Control of the companies, see attached annexture 11 and 12.”

According to the petitioners, the business deal not only breached procurement laws but also saw university funds and resources misappropriated. “Millions of naira of university funds were paid over to the Ag. VC’s companies under the contract. Furthermore, the University’s vehicles were deployed to the services of the private family business, and attendant expenses including fuelling and maintenance were borne by the university.”

The petition claims that the university council, upon discovering the arrangement, ordered the termination of the agreement. “When University Council got wind of this gross violation of the procurement process, it directed the termination of the relationship.”

The petitioners maintain they have gathered substantial evidence to back their claims. “Our clients have diligently obtained some evidence of these abuses of public office and financial crimes through the splitting and awarding of contracts for personal gains.”

The petitioners demanded thorough investigation into the allegations. “Our clients believe that an investigation into the dealings of the Ag. Vice Chancellor with her son and the various companies linked to Mr. Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka, will not only reveal multiple violations of the Public Procurement Act 2007, financial misappropriation and other heinous public financial crimes being perpetrated by the team, but will also expose other unknown fraudulent activities being perpetrated by the Ag. Vice-chancellor.”

When SaharaReporters contacted Professor Kate who is accused of the corrupt practives, she denied any wrongdoing.

“The information out there is fake, I served as commissioner in the Anambra State government for eight years and I did not do any contract racketeering. What they are targeting is the seat of the Vice Chancellor.”

“I know they petitioned the EFCC and if the EFCC finds me culpable they would call me for questioning. As the head of tenders board, I have ensured nothing but transparency and that’s the absolute truth,” she told SaharaReporters.