RIVERS ASSEMBLY ORDERS ARREST OF PROF. SMITH JAJA, VC PAMO UNIVERSITY, SEEKS RECOVERY OF UNACCOUNTED FUNDS

The Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to issue a warrant of arrest against the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences over his repeated failure to appear before the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating funds released to the institution under the state government’s scholarship scheme.

The resolution was reached on Friday, September 25, 2026, during the 53rd Legislative Sitting of the House, following consideration of the report of the Ad-hoc Committee, presented by its Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol 

The House also called on the Rivers State Government to establish a committee to recover all funds found to be unaccounted for by PAMO University and return such funds to the Consolidated Revenue Account of the State.

The Assembly had constituted the Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of funds released to PAMO University and establish the number of students covered under the scholarship arrangement.

In its report, the committee raised concerns over discrepancies in financial records submitted by relevant government agencies and the inability of the university’s management to adequately account for the funds received.

The committee also noted that the Vice-Chancellor failed to honour several invitations to appear before it and provide explanations on the utilisation of the funds.

While ruling on the report, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule  said the scholarship arrangement was introduced with good intentions, but expressed concern over its implementation.

The Speaker particularly pointed to discrepancies in documents submitted by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and the Office of the Accountant-General of the State, stressing the need for the records to be properly reconciled.

Rt. Hon. Amaewhule reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly to exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.

He maintained that the Assembly would continue to act in the interest of Rivers State and would not compromise its responsibility to protect public resources, regardless of the individuals or institutions involved.

The House subsequently adopted the recommendations of the Ad-hoc Committee, including the issuance of the warrant of arrest and steps towards the recovery of funds that remain unaccounted for.

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