A storm of controversy has erupted in Cross River state as the government has launched a full-scale probe into the brazen and unlawful auctioning of assets belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS). At the center of this unfolding scandal are members of the former Governing Council, who stand accused of looting public property under the guise of an auction.
Reports indicate that between May and August 2024, approximately 400 valuable items were discreetly sold off—not to the public, but to the very council members entrusted with safeguarding them. Among these assets were eight industrial generators, including a 500KVA generator installed just in 2015, and numerous vehicles, one of which was a government-donated car meant to serve the institution.
Worse still, the entire process appears to have flouted every legal and ethical standard in asset disposal. Instead of following the Public Procurement Act and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) guidelines, the auction was allegedly conducted behind closed doors, without a single public advertisement—an unmistakable sign of a calculated attempt to cover up the transactions.
Now, the Cross River State Government is demanding answers. Acting on the directive of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, has issued an urgent request for critical documents, including: A full inventory of the auctioned assets; Official approvals and Governing Council resolutions (if any existed); Public advertisements of the sale (if ever published); A list of buyers—who they are, and their connection to the council; and Proof of payments and how the proceeds were managed.
The implicated officials now have just seven days to provide these records, as the government intensifies its probe into what appears to be a deliberate plundering of state resources.
The stakes could not be higher. If these allegations hold, those responsible will face the full force of the law. Cross River citizens are watching closely, demanding justice, accountability, and the recovery of their stolen assets.
As the ultimate nears, all eyes are on the former governing council members, who must either justify their actions or face the rhythm.
