The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited three University of Abuja professors for questioning over their involvement in the ongoing controversy surrounding the selection of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the institution.

The professors summoned include M.A. Katcha, Abdul Buba (Faculty of Science, Department of Physics), and Kasim Waziri (Faculty of Law, Department of Law).

The invitation, reportedly linked to their opposition to alleged irregularities in the selection process, comes amid accusations against the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (rtd), for allegedly manipulating the process to favor Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi.

Sources revealed that Prof. Waziri, a Senate member of the Joint Selection Board, was invited for questioning after walking out of a meeting on December 18. Professors Katcha and Buba were summoned following their involvement in an aborted extraordinary Senate meeting convened by the Acting Vice-Chancellor on December 22.

One source noted, "Prof. Abdul opposed every illegal decision made by the council, while Prof. Katcha was elected to chair the Senate meeting after the Acting Vice-Chancellor failed to appear, despite convening it."

Earlier, SaharaReporters detailed allegations of impropriety in the Vice-Chancellor selection process. On December 24, it reported that over 30 local vigilantes, allegedly deployed by the Acting VC, disrupted a Senate meeting, assaulting professors in the process.

The controversy stems from claims that the Acting VC is being imposed on the institution despite not meeting the initial eligibility criteria. The Senate members, who were elected to ensure a transparent selection process, reportedly faced efforts to replace them for resisting a "rigged" process.

A heated exchange unfolded during a December 24 meeting, initially delayed and later suspended at the request of the Council Chairman. Senate members, dissatisfied with the postponement, held an independent meeting, only for local security forces to interrupt, forcibly ejecting them from the chamber.

The DSS letter, dated December 27, 2024, and signed by Y. Zakari for the State Director of Security, FCT Command, cited "security interest" as the reason for summoning the professors. The letter addressed to the Acting Vice-Chancellor requested their release for an interview with the State Director of Security.

The letter stated:

“The State Security Service (SSS) requests the authority of the University of Abuja to release the following persons to interview the Director, DSS, on matters that have to do with security interest:

• M.A. Katcha (Prof)
• Abdul Buba (Prof): Faculty of Science, Department of Physics
• Kasim Waziri (Prof): Faculty of Law, Department of Law

"Your cooperation will be appreciated as their response to this invitation will go a long way in harmonizing the institution in the future."

This development adds another layer of complexity to the escalating crisis at the University of Abuja.