PAMO University of Medical Sciences has criticised the ongoing investigation by the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing the legislative probe as malicious and politically motivated.
The university’s position follows the refusal of its Vice-Chancellor to honour an invitation from the House of Assembly, which subsequently issued an arrest warrant against him.
In a public notice signed by the Registrar, Peter I. Akubuiroh, Esq., the institution alleged that the Assembly had prejudged the university by publicly accusing it of mismanaging state scholarship funds without providing evidence.
The university said it had demanded a retraction of the allegations and an apology but claimed that its requests had not been addressed.
According to the statement, PAMO University made an effort to cooperate with the Assembly’s ad hoc investigative committee by sending an official representative to its sitting on September 16. The institution, however, alleged that the committee refused to recognise the representative or accept documents presented on its behalf.
The university subsequently sought legal protection through the courts, citing concerns that the investigation was intended to embarrass the institution.
Despite the pending court action, PAMO said the Rivers State House of Assembly issued an arrest warrant for its Vice-Chancellor on September 25.
University Clarifies Scholarship Funding
PAMO University also clarified its financial relationship with the Rivers State Government, stressing that it does not receive direct budgetary allocations from the state.
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According to the institution, its relationship with the government is governed by a scholarship Memorandum of Understanding under which the Rivers State Ministry of Education handles payments covering tuition, feeding and accommodation for approximately 600 scholarship students.
The university said the state government is currently owing it about four months in scholarship-related fees.
Despite the outstanding payments, management said it had continued to accommodate all scholarship beneficiaries on campus to prevent disruptions to their medical education.
The institution warned that the escalating dispute could have serious consequences for the academic progress of hundreds of Rivers State indigenes studying medicine, nursing and allied medical sciences.
1,166 Beneficiaries, 323 Graduates
PAMO University said a total of 1,166 Rivers State indigenes have benefited from the state’s scholarship scheme at the institution.
Of that number, 323 students have already graduated, while hundreds of others remain enrolled in various medical and health-related programmes.
The university urged all parties involved in the dispute to consider the welfare and academic future of the students, stressing that the scholarship programme has provided medical education opportunities to a significant number of Rivers youths.
The institution maintained that it remains committed to cooperating with lawful processes while protecting its institutional reputation and the interests of students affected by the scholarship arrangement.
