ESUT Sacks Six Staff

In a bid to enthrone ethical values and ensure probity among staff at all levels, the management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, have sacked six staff for criminal offenses relating to their offices.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie who announced this in a press conference on Wednesday said that another staff who has been on suspension for disseminating false information was recalled but with forfeiture of her half salary.

Prof Okolie said the the dismissal of the affected six staff were taken by the University Council to demonstrate its avowed stand on zero tolerance for corruption, dereliction of duty and fraudulent practices among employees.

The dismissed staff are Izuchukwu Ifeanyi Eze of Educational Foundation unit; Dr Ezekiel Nnadi of Quantity Surveying Department; and Dr Ani Celestine Okafor of Human Physiology department.

Others are: Dr Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze, Industrial Chemistry; Fanny Ngọzi Onyia of Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies as well as Mr Chiuzor Isaac Okoh of Bursary unity.

Augustina Ifebuche Ugwu of Applied Microbiology and Brewing was issued a letter of warning and recalled to hee duty but will forfeit her half salary during her period of suspension.

The Vice-Chancellor provided details on why they were sacked.

“Izuchukwu Ifeanyi Eze was sacked for certificate forgery; Dr Ezekiel Nnadi was dismissed from service over academic fraud including manipulation of results, extortion, sexual harassment and other grave misconducts.

“Dr Ani Celestine Okafor was sacked because he is keeping two full-time jobs. He works in SUMAS and ESUT while a similar crime was also perpetrated by Dr Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze.

“Fanny Ngozi Onyia was involved in the preparation of fake transcript and was dismissed. She is to refund one hundred and seven thousand naira (₦107, 000.00) to Chinyere Faustina Onyechi who she defrauded while Mr Chibuzor Isaac Okoh’s employment with ESUT was terminated after he misappropriated the Sum of ninety-eight million, two hundred and fifty nine thousand, three hundred and fourteen naira sixty Kobo (₦98, 259, 314.65,.

“Augustina Ifebuche Ugwu was recalled after serving suspension with a warning letter for conveying false information to an ex student (Agadi Lucky Ejime) that he had Second Class Honours (Upper Division) instead of Second Class Honours (Lower Division). She will forfeit her half salary,” the VC said.

The Vice-Chancellor added that the university management will prosecute the affected staff and they will be made to refund every money they acquired illegal as a result of their fraudulent practices.