The Vice-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Shehu Alhaji-Musa is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N1.1billion contract scam.
The anti-graft agency is investigating contracts awarded by the vice chancellor for the supply of office equipment and library stationery as well as the furnishing of a 400-seat capacity twin theatre.
Truth Live News gathered a letter sighted by Sahara reporters indicates that the sum of N584,591,000 was awarded for the supply of office equipment and library stationery, while N608,200,000 was awarded for the furnishing of the 400-seat capacity twin theatre on the university campus.
The project was captured under the 2021 final supplementary intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, the report added.
Part of EFCC’s letter reads: “This Commission is investigating a case in which there is a need to obtain information from you in respect of the above-mentioned contracts purported to have been awarded by your office (copy attached).”
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly furnish us with the following information: confirm the genuineness or otherwise of the contracts; if in the affirmative, avail us with details of the beneficiary of the contracts, mode of payment for their execution to include the account number(s) and bank(s), certified true copies of all documents regarding the award and execution of the said contracts; status of the contracts, and any other information that may assist our investigation”.
EFCC noted the request was made pursuant to Section 38(1) of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
Meanwhile, the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has accused Alhaji-Musa of obtaining a loan facility to purchase eight exotic cars worth N200 million without due process.
ASUU revealed that the vehicles were bought after the state government bought vehicles worth N40 million for the VC.
Also, the union accused the VC of committing multiple frauds, showing disregard for the university tenders board, and usurping the powers of the governing council.
Earlier, ASUU had written a letter to the governing council to lay some allegation against the VC.
ASUU wrote: “The union on several occasions has expressed serious dismay over the procurement of eight (8) exotic vehicles on loan facility amounting to two hundred million naira [N200,000,000.00] with 10% interest from a commercial bank.
“The procurement was a flagrant disregard to Section 16 Subsection (1), Section 24, Section 25, Section 42 of Public Procurement Act 2007, Kano State public procurement reforms and Kano State Appropriation Law 2019.
“It was quite obvious that the former Pro-Chancellor A.B Mahmoud SAN, knowing fully that the procurement was illegal, went with one of the vehicles as part of his severance package.
“You may wish to also note that the outgoing Vice Chancellor has one exotic vehicle (Lexus Jeep), a Toyota Prado Jeep, a Peugeot 806, and another Toyota Jeep procured by the state government worth forty million naira (N40,000,000.00) in his custody.
“The union is calling on the council to, as a matter of urgency, do the needful; otherwise, ASUU-KUST will not hesitate to take legal action.”