President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to reverse the re appointment of the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, (MAN), Oron, Joshua Okpo, over alleged multi billion Naira fraud, forgery, and lack of requisite qualification to run a degree awarding institution.
In a petition to the President, the petitioners alleged that is currently being investigated by the Inspector general of Police and Department of State Security Service (DSS), for forgery of “ a re-appointment letter dated 27th May 2015, claimed to originate from the Presidency and duly signed by one Matt. Aikhiobare (Senior Special Assistant to the former President –Admin), referenced PRES/87/MF/652/83/MPWR/141/81/SGF/4/547”
The petitioners, a civil rights organization, Oro Youths Movement (OYOM), said further “ This investigation was carried out upon a petition dated June 29, 2015 and copied to Mr president, DSS, permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Transport,” by the group.
The petitioners alleged further that Okpo, who is not qualified to be Rector of MAN a degree awarding institution because he has no doctorate degree, also misappropriated over N10 Billion, four year allocations from NIMASA and the Federal Government. Adding “ He has also squandered all the money sent Maritime Organization of West Africa and Central Africa (MOWCA), meant for training of students and staff, while the academy is indebted to contractors to the tune of N8 Billion for jobs which funds were released by the Federal Government”
The petition signed by the group’s President, Comrade Joseph Ekongenam, and Organizing secretary, Okon Nsuwara, alleged that in 2013, Okpo got N198 Million for payment of promotion arrears paid out N94 million , pocketed N104 Million.
Adding that “ it is also on record that contracts for the award of furniture for the library and resource center, N45 Million was approved but nothing in on ground…also a N30 Million contract was awarded for the furnishing of Rector’s Lodge but till now the lodge remains un furnished.
The OYOM said the recommendation for Oko’s re appointment was fraudulently done by the Permanent secretary , State House, Engr. Nebolisa Emordi, who they alleged often share the spoils with Okpo.
