Rivers Assembly Threatens Arrest of PAMO University Officials

The Rivers State House of Assembly has threatened to issue warrants of arrest against officials of the state government and the management of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) due to their failure to appear before an investigative committee. This warning was issued on Wednesday by the ad-hoc committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, which is examining funds released to PAMO University from 2017 to the present, including those allocated for scholarship programs for Rivers indigenes.

At a recent sitting in Port Harcourt, the committee expressed concern over the absence of several summoned officials, including the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University, the Commissioner for Finance, and the Accountant-General of Rivers State. Only Commissioner for Education Dr Peter Nwagor attended and answered questions.

The committee has now directed the absent officials to appear on Thursday, September 24, warning that constitutional powers, including arrest warrants, may be used if they fail to comply. The investigation aims to clarify the disbursement and usage of funds provided by the Rivers State Government to PAMO University.