ABUJA– Civil society groups are calling on Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies to investigate a former University of Abuja registrar over allegations of academic fraud, forgery, and extortion of university funds.
The groups, including ‘A Broom for Every Home Initiative’ (BEH), said they are urging the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to look into the matter.
According to the groups, Yahaya Mohammed, who once served as registrar of the university, allegedly ran a scheme that fast-tracked promotions for unqualified persons to the rank of professor in exchange for payments said to run into hundreds of thousands of naira.
Information gathered show that Mr Mohammed was previously dismissed for alleged forgery before being reinstated. The groups further allege he was involved in racketeering around junior staff recruitment and played a role in the emergence of the current Acting Registrar, Sambo Mohamed, whose appointment several staff members say lacks merit.
Sources says it is obvious that Mohammed allegedly used illicit proceeds to build his mansion in the Kutunku Extension Layout area of Gwagwalada, Abuja.
BEH said they expect the ICPC and CCB to urgently investigate the claims and make their findings public.
