N25M SCANDAL: KEBBI COLLEGE STUDENTS SET PROVOST'S HOUSE, VEHICLE ON FIRE
Angry students from the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have set fire to the residence of the college Provost, Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, amid accusations of extortion involving N23 million in fees. The provost's vehicle was also vandalized by the students during the riot.
Reports indicate that the controversy originated from a newly introduced public health programme, initially affiliated with Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria. The college merged the programme with the Environmental Health Department to secure certification, leading to a demand for an additional N65,000 from each student for index registration, on top of the N30,000 already paid.
Accusing the management of extortion, the students responded violently by stoning vehicles and setting the provost's residence on fire. College staff fled the scene in fear before security personnel arrived.
Provost Haruna Saidu-Sauwa denied the allegations, calling them "fictitious, baseless, and mischievous." He refuted claims that he had convinced any body in Oyo State to extort N23 million from the students, adding that the accusations were based on misinformation.
"How can one expect a diploma when their admission letter reads certificate?" Saidu-Sauwa asked, stressing that every student's course details were clearly stated in their offer letter. He challenged those making the accusations to present evidence to support their claims.
The provost emphasized that the school operated a Treasury Single Account where all payments were made, and no one, including himself, had access to those funds. Saidu-Sauwa also accused the media of reporting unverified stories to satisfy certain "paymasters" attempting to undermine the college.
"We are thankful no one was harmed, and we are working with security personnel to identify the organizers of the protest, which damaged my personal vehicle and other college property," he said. Saidu-Sauwa called on students and staff to remain calm while the investigation into the incident continued.
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