By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Government of Cross River has launched investigation into alleged irregular auctioning of assets belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), by members of the immediate past Governing Council.
Several petitions had accused the council of violating procurement laws by secretly selling off public properties to themselves.
The controversial auction, which reportedly took place between May and August 2024, involved approximately 400 items, including eight industrial generators, one of which was a 500KVA generator installed in 2015, as well as several vehicles, including some donated by the immediate past administration of Governor Ben Ayade.
The petitions alleged that these assets were sold directly to council members and other insiders, thereby dwarfing the legal requirement for public advertisement under the Public Procurement Act.
It was also reported that the school rather issued a notice and circular, raising suspicions of a deliberate attempt to conceal the transactions.
Reacting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, issued a directive on March 19, 2025, on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu, demanding an urgent review of the auction.
The government accordingly requested the following within seven working days: A full list of all auctioned assets; official approvals and Governing Council resolutions related to the sale; copies of auctioning guidelines and any public advertisements; a list of individuals and entities that acquired the assets; and proof of payments, including account details, total proceeds, and how the funds were managed.
Agbor reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the proper management of public assets, warning that “any breaches of the law will not go unpunished.”
