The investigation, based on a trove of procurement records, bank receipts, and corporate filings, reveals a brazen pattern of abuse of office and criminal conversion of federal property.
A corruption scandal has rocked the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, as internal documents and whistleblower accounts expose a systematic plundering of institution assets.
At the centre of the storm is the Provost, Dr. (Mrs.) Pauline N. Ikwuegbu, who is accused of orchestrating the diversion of high-end government vehicles worth over N300 million to her private school and garage.
The investigation, based on a trove of procurement records, bank receipts, and corporate filings, reveals a brazen pattern of abuse of office and criminal conversion of federal property.
The first major component of the alleged fraud involves a mid-2023 contract for the procurement of student transportation. On July 18, 2023, Ikwuegbu authorised a contract for the supply of three 15-seater mini-buses (HRNB) to Overzoom Global Investment Services Limited.
The contract, coded under the 2023 Appropriation ERGP (Constituency) projects, was awarded at a sum of N229,788,130.00, which sources described as inflated.
The award letter, signed by the Provost, stated: “The award of the contract for the supply of vehicles in Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu… to your company at the total contract sum of N229,788,130.00.”
Records indicate that the college promptly paid the full amount to the contractor’s Sterling Bank account.
However, the delivery process was highly irregular. Instead of taking delivery at the college campus, the Provost allegedly invited the Chief Stores Officer to her private residence in Enugu on August 26, 2023, to sign for the three vehicles.
Despite this official handover, only one bus ever reached the FCE Eha-Amufu campus, whistleblowers told SaharaReporters.
Investigative leads and eyewitnesses reveal that the remaining two buses, identified by chassis numbers LVCB2NWA9PSO22236 and LVCB2NWA8PS022230, were diverted to Majesty International Model Schools in Aba, Abia State.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records confirm that this private school was incorporated in 2017 with Dr. Pauline Ngozi Ikwuegbu (under the name O. Pauline Ngozi Anosike) listed as a primary owner.
When confronted with the absence of the vehicles, the Provost reportedly claimed they were “donated to two secondary schools in Enugu State”.
However, the whistleblower report notes that “no record, letter of donation, or approval from the Federal Ministry of Education exists to support this claim”.
N70Million ‘Personal’ Luxury SUV
The Provost’s alleged appetite for public assets extended to high-end luxury for her personal use. In 2022, the institution procured a brand-new, black Toyota Prado VX (V6 engine) from H Concrete Nigeria Limited for N70,251,250.00.
The invoice for the vehicle (Frame No: JTEBU3FJ0OK206045) describes a “Full Option” luxury SUV with just 30 kilometres on the mileage. While ostensibly purchased as a “Utility Vehicle” for the institution, college insiders allege it has never served the public interest.
“The vehicle has never been used as an official car by the college. It’s parked and driven by the Provost as her private vehicle,” a senior staff member stated, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.
The report adds that there is “no record in the institution’s transport or administrative registry showing that the Prado was ever assigned to any official department”.
Calls for Immediate Prosecution
Legal experts and anti-corruption observers characterise these actions as a textbook case of “criminal conversion” and “gross abuse of office”.
The whistleblower account highlights that these acts violate Section 19 of the ICPC Act (2000), Sections 16 and 17 of the EFCC Act (2004), and the Public Procurement Act (2007).
A retired procurement officer familiar with tertiary audits remarked: “If this transaction was completed with public funds, then personal use of the vehicle without proper transfer or approval is a clear violation of the law.”
The whistleblower has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to move in and recover the N300,039,380.00 in diverted federal assets.
The demands are clear: “The immediate recovery of the two missing buses from Majesty International Model Schools in Aba.
“The recovery of the Toyota Prado currently in the Provost’s private possession.
“The suspension and prosecution of Dr. Pauline Ikwuegbu for serious misconduct and breach of Public Service Rules.”
“The public deserves to know how over three hundred million… of taxpayers’ money was spent, and why government-owned vehicles were diverted to a private school owned by the same public officer who awarded the contract,” the report concludes.
Efforts to obtain comments from Ikwuegbu were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to multiple calls placed to her verified telephone number.
She also failed to reply to text messages sent to her via SMS and WhatsApp since Wednesday afternoon.
