There is growing tension at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, over the delay in the release of the report from the committee investigating a recent fire incident. The inferno razed the building housing the procurement, examination, and records offices at the college.

The fire was reportedly orchestrated to destroy evidence and other footprints that might assist in investigating alleged corruption and embezzlement of funds by the Provost of the college, Dr Pauline Ikwuegbu.

A senior official of the college confirmed that the panel had concluded its work, but the report was allegedly being withheld by the school management, reportedly because the findings were not favourable to them.

The staff union and several civil society groups told journalists that they would soon initiate mass action against the school management, particularly the Chairman of the Governing Council and the Provost, whom they implicated in the alleged mismanagement of the finances and property of the college.

They insisted that the outcome of the report must be made public to avoid any cover-up regarding the cause of the inferno that destroyed the entire building housing the Exams and Records Department, as well as Procurement.

Some senior staff members of the college confirmed to Daily Sun that the investigations have been completed, but the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prince Melubari Akukue, and the Provost, Dr Ikwuegbu, are “sitting on the report” because it is not favourable to them, despite the committee members being their close allies.

Another senior official of the college informed journalists that they are not expecting a meaningful outcome from the committee due to its composition. “For instance, the chairman of the committee is a close associate of the Provost.

“Additionally, the ‘fake’ deputy provost who has been voted out is a member of the committee. In fact, the committee is filled with people who are loyal to the Provost and the Chairman. So, nothing meaningful might come out from there even when the truth is there for all to see.”

The official, however, vowed that they would not allow the matter to be “swept under the carpet” like other alleged corrupt activities and “criminal” actions of the current school management led by the Provost, which they claim has dragged the reputation of the college through the mud.

The official noted that the committee was given 14 days to conduct the investigation and submit their report. “But I heard it was later extended to 21 days. However, the inferno occurred on March 3rd. It is clearly more than 40 days since the committee was set up.

“The investigations have been completed, but they are sitting on the report because it is not favourable to them. The incident has remained controversial due to the circumstances surrounding the fire. The inferno occurred at night despite the absence of electricity supply, and without any signs of bush burning nearby.

“There was no power supply and no bush around that could have caused the fire. Everything was burnt to ashes. Even when the fire was extinguished earlier, it was later reignited by an unknown person.

“The destruction of the exams and records department has also raised concerns about the fate of students’ academic records. What happens to students’ results and transcripts? That is the big question now.”

Meanwhile, other staff linked the incident to ongoing allegations of financial misconduct involving the college management, suggesting the fire may have been aimed at destroying sensitive records.

“The procurement and records units are critical departments that hold financial and administrative documents. Their destruction raises serious questions.

“Recall that the fire occurred weeks after SaharaReporters reported allegations of a N300 million vehicle diversion scandal involving the Provost, with claims that some government-funded vehicles were not delivered to the institution.”

When contacted, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prince Akukue, said he was yet to receive the report from the investigation panel. He confirmed that 21 days had been given to the panel to submit its report. “Unfortunately, they have not done that. I am waiting for it, and I will let you know when it is ready.” (SUN)