The Rivers State House of Assembly has intensified its investigation into public funds released to PAMO University of Medical Sciences after lawmakers said records obtained from state ministries showed that more than ₦28 billion had been paid to the private institution since 2017.

The Assembly's ad hoc committee investigating scholarship funding to the university is demanding that its Vice Chancellor appear before lawmakers to provide information on the funds and their utilization.

The latest development deepens a dispute between the legislature and PAMO University following the Assembly's decision to remove a proposed ₦6 billion allocation to the institution from Rivers State's 2026 budget.

The university, through its lawyers, has challenged allegations surrounding its management of the scholarship funds and disputed the Assembly's approach to the investigation.

ASSEMBLY CITES MORE THAN ₦28 BILLION IN PAYMENTS

The investigative committee said documents received from Rivers State ministries showed that more than ₦28 billion had been released in connection with PAMO University since 2017.

According to the committee, more than ₦1 billion was released during the current year.

Lawmakers are seeking further documentation and testimony to establish the total amount released, the number of students who benefited and whether the funds were used for their approved purposes.

The investigation covers payments dating back to the establishment of the university in 2017.

The Assembly has not concluded its investigation and the figures cited by lawmakers do not by themselves establish wrongdoing by PAMO University or any state official.

LAWMAKERS DEMAND VICE CHANCELLOR'S APPEARANCE

The House has insisted that the university's Vice Chancellor appear personally before the investigative committee.

The Assembly says its investigative authority is derived from Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution, which give state legislatures powers to investigate matters involving the administration and use of public funds.

The committee has also summoned state officials involved in the release and administration of the scholarship funds.

Those previously invited include the Accountant General, Commissioner for Education, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Commissioner for Finance.

The committee has warned that continued failure by invited officials to appear could result in further legislative action.

PAMO LAWYER CHALLENGES SUMMONS

PAMO University's legal representatives have challenged the Assembly's position.

The institution's lawyers have disputed allegations concerning its management of scholarship funds and have objected to the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.

The university has maintained that money received under the scholarship programmed was applied to educating Rivers State students for whom the funding was provided.

Its lawyers previously demanded a retraction and apology after Speaker Martin Amaewhule questioned the institution's transparency in handling public funds.

PAMO University described those allegations as false and unfounded and warned that it could pursue legal action.

The disagreement has now developed into a wider dispute over the Assembly's investigation and its demand that the Vice Chancellor appear before the committee.

₦6 BILLION REMOVED FROM 2026 BUDGET

The investigation followed controversy over a proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University in Rivers State's 2026 budget.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara's administration had included the money for scholarships involving Rivers State students studying at the institution.

Lawmakers questioned the size of the allocation and demanded greater accountability for previous payments before approving additional funding.

The House subsequently removed the proposed ₦6 billion from the final budget and established the ad hoc committee to investigate the history of state funding to the university.

The Assembly passed an adjusted 2026 budget of approximately ₦1.84 trillion.

UNIVERSITY OWNED BY FORMER GOVERNOR

PAMO University of Medical Sciences is a privately owned medical university in Port Harcourt founded by former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili.

The Rivers State Government has funded scholarships for state indigenes attending the institution since its establishment.

The current investigation is focused on how much public money has been released under those arrangements and whether the funds were used for the purposes approved by the state.

Lawmakers have said the inquiry is intended to establish the facts surrounding the financial relationship between the government and the university.

NO FINDING OF MISAPPROPRIATION YET

The investigation remains ongoing.

Although lawmakers have raised questions about transparency and the amount of public funding released to PAMO University, the Assembly has not announced a final finding that the university misappropriated or diverted the money.

PAMO University has rejected suggestions of financial misconduct and maintains that scholarship funds received from the state were used for their intended purposes.

The investigative committee is seeking additional testimony and documentation before reaching its conclusions.

The dispute is therefore expected to continue as lawmakers insist on the Vice Chancellor's appearance and the university's legal representatives challenge the Assembly's position.