CATBAN DRAG UNILORIN TO MINISTER OF EDUCATION, EFCC AND OTHERS OVER ADMISSION FRAUD AND NONE CLEARANCE OF STUDENTS

Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) has officially submitted petitions to relevant authorities to look into the systemic fraud and admission racket at University of Ilorin that led to protest few weeks ago. The Anti-Corruption Coalition submitted petitions to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu and Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof Abdulrasheed Abubakar.

Additionally, CATBAN also submitted separate petitions to Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

The group said its petition provide ample opportunity for relevant authorities to promptly intervene in other to prevent break down of law and order in the University, as CATBAN is determined to defend the rights and legitimate interest of the affected students.

CATBAN’s investigative team had gathered that the University of Ilorin often deliberately issues admission to students in excess of their admission capacity and quota, hoping to drain the additional students of their hard earned resources before sending them back home empty handed with unreasonable explanations. After they must have paid all the necessary fees, rented accommodation and attended lectures for months, victims will eventually be told that they had fake admissions
or that they have unacceptable results.

CATBAN’s investigations also reveals that since the appointment & subsequent resumption of duties by the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, University of Ilorin has
fraudulently admitted thousands of students more than they can officially cater for, who have been victims of this properly articulated scam. This fraudulent practice, we learned, has been consistent since 2013.

Recall that on 31st January 2017, CATBAN released a press statement concerning the systemic fraud and admission scam that has eaten deep into the fabric of University of Ilorin, leading to the sending home of over 2000 new intakes after they had paid in over N40million as directed by the University.

In the statement, CATBAN demanded an immediate reversal of the ‘’go home’’ order given to the students, adding that no admitted student should be sent back home without concrete evidence of any wrong doing on the part of the student. It also maintained that no admitted student should be sent back home based on system error or negligence by the University, leading to hacking of it’s portal.

In response to CATBAN’s 7 days ultimatum, Unilorin through its SU Dean of Student Affairs promptly invited the students to a meeting in which they were further threatened and ordered to denounce CATBAN’s intervention. In a recorded clip now in CATBAN’s possession, the Dean also asked the affected students to write apology letter to the University.

Similarly, the University also released a statement that left little to be desired through its Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun under the headline, ‘’UNILORIN STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST NON-CLEARANCE OF OVER 2,000 NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS’’

While we do not intend to exchange words with the University, to imagine that in 2017, University of Ilorin, an institution which once prided itself as prestigious have stoop so low, to the extent of
appointing a person who lack basic understanding of issues as its Head of Corporate Affairs, goes to show how bad thing have deteriorated in the self acclaimed better by far University.

It is very sad, that the Unilorin we now have is a perfect example of better by fraud, better by lies, better by scam, better by impunity and better by corruption. This has brought down the image of the
University both home and abroad and CATBAN is very concerned. When one simply type Unilorin on Google, what comes out is monumental corruption baggage's hanged on the neck of the University, and how it handle this current issue will go a long way in telling the world what the University truly stands for.

For the purpose of emphasis, contrary to the ignorant outburst of Unilorin head of Corporate Affairs, an admission seeker, who has been duly offered admission, accepted the offer and paid the prescribed fee as directed by the University, has become a bonafide student. With offer and acceptance, he or she has duly entered into a contract with the University. The University should approach its legal department for proper enlightment on the law of contract. What made acceptance fee none refundable, is the irrevocability of the admission itself and should the University revoke the admission, the acceptance fee or any other fee paid for that purpose has become refundable.

CATBAN is also aware that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) recently sanctioned University of Ilorin over its persistent fraudulently behavior and lawlessness, but CATBAN is not ASUU, which merely sanction verbally without further action. Should the aforementioned authorities fail to call Unilorin to order and adequately punish those found guilty, CATBAN shall be forced to
proceed with its occupation of Unilorin.

Let it be known that what CATBAN seeks to achieve is appropriate sanction for fraud and extortion of innocent students. We seek nothing, other than withdrawal of the go home order to the students
and the peaceful continuation of their studies. We are not a parallel administration of Unilorin, but an investigative anti corruption Coalition of CSO in Nigeria, which shall never watch any institution
act with impunity.

Ibrahim Garba Wala
FOR: CATBAN Coalition
Www. Catban.org.ng

Its about time something is done about the fraud in that institution.

True