In light of allegations of bribery and other forms of dishonesty at IMT Enugu, Governor Mbah has established an investigative panel.
Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, has appointed eight individuals to serve on a committee that would investigate the operations of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. This institution is owned by the state.
The investigation committee is called the Committee of Inquiry into the Accounts, Management Practices, and Staff Conduct. Prof. Ed Nwobodo is serving as the Chairman of the committee, and Chinenye Angela is serving as the Secretary. Other members of the committee include Osita Onuma, Dr. Ada Nwonye, Barr. Lilian Ikwueze, Amb. Judy Nweke, Dr. Moses Otiji, and Vincent Onyeabor.
On Monday, Governor Mbah inaugurated the Committee at Government House in Enugu. He stated that the Committee had been created to guarantee that there is a level of credibility in the institution. Governor Mbah also expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership and members of the Committee to deliver on their mandate.
The Committee was informed by the Governor, who was not there but was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, that the state was banking on the Committee's experience to ensure a credible job performance.
"The work you are going to do will set a new course for that institution and for the rest of the action the government will take in the Higher Education space in Enugu state", he stated.
He said the Committee's terms and reference were to evaluate the legal and policy framework underpinning the constitution of the Business Committee; and thoroughly analyse the various categories of fees charged to students, investigating the methods of payment, designated accounts for transactions, and the overall management of fee-related processes.
The Committee was also mandated to assess the degree of adherence to pertinent laws, regulations, and institutional policies in the selection and appointment of staff members, particularly those occupying key positions such as Heads of Department, Deputy Rector, among others;
identify and scrutinise all streams of revenue generation for the institution, delving into the mechanisms for revenue collection, proper accounting practices for remittances, and the overall management of these financial resources; investigate any instances of undue financial demands imposed on students either by lecturers or the administrative body, regardless of the pretext used; explore any other relevant areas that may emerge in the course of addressing the aforementioned issues: and to conduct a comprehensive examination leading to well-founded conclusions and recommendations concerning the matters outlined.
In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Nwobodo, was speaking on behalf of the other members of the Committee when he thanked Governor Mbah for the opportunity that was given to them to serve, and he assured Governor Mbah that the Committee would do a creditable job.
"I am confident that this Committee is going to do a thorough job, such that we should in the next years, look back and say that this was good.
"We are bound to do a good job and I am confident that the men and women you have selected, will do a good job", Prof. Nwobodo said.
The deadline for the Committee's reports has been extended to two weeks.