Former UNICAL vice-chancellor accused of alleged procurement and financial irregularities
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the 2027 election, Prof. Zana Itiunbe Akpagu.
The petition concerns alleged financial, procurement and accountability irregularities during Akpagu’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar between 2015 and 2020.
The complaint, filed by Law & Order Attorneys on behalf of unnamed clients, was received at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on September 22, 2026.
According to the petition receipt, the complaint was registered under reference number EFCC/PET/HQR 3843/2026.
In the petition dated September 18 and addressed to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the law firm’s Principal Partner, Nurat Ileigo Usman, asked the commission to investigate alleged irregularities in contract awards, project execution and the management of university funds during Akpagu’s administration.
The petitioners referenced issues they said were raised in the Presidential Visitation Panel Report and Federal Government White Paper on the university covering the 2016-2020 period.
They alleged that the documents raised concerns about compliance with procurement procedures, financial controls, project execution and accountability.
The petition also alleged contract splitting and non-compliance with due-process requirements in the award and execution of some projects.
The petitioners further asked the EFCC to investigate several uncompleted Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and NEEDS Assessment projects and establish how funds allocated to them were utilised.
They requested that the commission obtain procurement records from the period and conduct a forensic financial and technical audit of TETFund, NEEDS Assessment and other projects funded internally or externally during Akpagu’s tenure.
The petition also urged the EFCC to establish the identities and beneficial ownership of companies and contractors that received substantial payments from the university.
The petitioners said they were prepared to provide additional documents and information to assist any investigation.
Akpagu is currently the PDP candidate for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.
However, there was no indication in the documents made available that the EFCC had commenced a formal investigation or made any finding of wrongdoing against the former vice-chancellor.
The allegations contained in the petition remain claims that have yet to be independently established by the relevant authorities.