AE-FUNAI Investigates Alleged Lecturer Extortion Following Reports

The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Professor Sunday Oge Elom, has directed an inquiry into allegations of sorting and extortion involving a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Oscar Chima, in connection with one of his students.

NAIJA NEWS TODAY reported that Oscar Chima, a lecturer, stands accused of accepting N30,000 from a final-year female student purportedly to assist her in passing the MAC 321 course (Photojournalism).

Mr. Chima has denied the allegations, stating that his intentions were solely to support the student in improving her academic performance. He clarified that the student’s grades accurately reflected her efforts, despite leading to an unfavorable outcome.

According to him, the student sought his assistance after an unsuccessful attempt to rectify her grades through the university’s ICT system. Despite his efforts to assist her, the result remained unchanged.

In response to the allegations, the University Public Relations Officer, Elom Ubochi, informed NAIJA NEWS TODAY that “The university (AE-FUNAI) operates on rules and processes. I want to assure you that the investigation has commenced, starting with the issuance of a query.”

“After he has responded to the query, he will be referred to an investigative panel. Based on the panel’s recommendations, he will face the Staff Disciplinary Committee, which will result in a sanction as stipulated in the conditions of service.”