By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka branch, has petitioned the national body over alleged abuse of office, fraud and unethical conduct by the Branch Chairperson, Comrade Dr. Njideka Nwangwu and the Vice Chairman, Comrade Uche Okafor respectively.

The petition whichh has been submitted to the National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, alleged that over N150 million belonging to the Unizik branch of the association was misappropriated and embezzled.

The petition, dated June 21st, 2024, was submitted by the Branch Treasurer, Comrade Mrs. Chukwudi Anthonia, and copied to the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

According to the petition, the Branch Chairperson, Comrade Dr. Njideka Nwangwu, and the Vice Chairman, Comrade Uche Okafor, have been involved in unethical conduct, abuse of office, and fraud.

The Treasurer alleged that the Chairperson and Vice Chairman have been placing her under duress to sign cheques for unapproved withdrawals of the Union’s funds, and that some of the monies were moved into a company’s account, Theolas Impex Investment Company Limited, where the Chairperson and one Mr. Chidiebe Ugochukwu Theophilus are co-signatories.

The petition further alleged that the Chairperson and Vice Chairman sold the old Union Sienna car without the consent of the Executive nor Union Congress, adding that they have been involved in other financial improprieties.

Meanwhile, the Branch Treasurer has requested that the National President set up a strong committee to investigate the allegations and save SSANU Unizik from collapse and prolonged debt.

Attempts to reach the University Acting Vice Chancellor and SSANU National President proved abortive at the time of filing this report, while some members of the branch Executive Committee declined to comment on the issue.