Rivers Assembly: PAMO University Funds Probe Launched Into State Funding

• The Rivers State House of Assembly has formed a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate funds disbursed to PAMO University of Medical Sciences since 2017.
• Chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, the committee will determine fund utilization and identify scholarship beneficiaries.
• This inquiry is legally mandated by Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
• The investigation was prompted by the Assembly's non-approval of a N6 billion allocation for the university in the 2026 state budget.
• The committee is scheduled to submit its findings to the House by September 30, 2026.

This legislative probe into PAMO University's funds signals heightened oversight by the Rivers State House of Assembly, leveraging Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has launched a comprehensive inquiry into the financial dealings between the state government and PAMO University of Medical Sciences, located in Port Harcourt. A specialized seven-member ad hoc committee has been established to conduct this investigation, focusing on all funds disbursed to the institution since its inception in 2017.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule formally constituted the committee, which is chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol. The mandate of this committee is multifaceted: it must determine the precise total amount of money the state government has provided to the university over the years, ascertain whether these funds were utilized appropriately for their designated purposes, and identify all beneficiaries, if any, of the university's scholarship scheme. The formation of this committee and its objectives were publicly announced in a statement released by Enemi George, who chairs the House Committee on Information. The other members appointed to assist in this critical probe include Silvanus Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Henrietta Loolo, Peter Abbey, Napoleon Ukalikpe, and Emilia Amadi.

The authority for this significant investigation is firmly rooted in Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended. This constitutional provision empowers legislative bodies like the Rivers State House of Assembly to conduct inquiries into the affairs of any person, authority, ministry, or government department charged with administering laws or disbursing public funds. By invoking this section, the Speaker has underscored the legislature's inherent power to ensure accountability and transparency in the expenditure of state resources.

The committee's specific directives, as outlined in the statement, directly align with the oversight powers granted by Section 128. These include a thorough examination of how much funding PAMO University has received from the Rivers State Government since 2017, an assessment of whether these funds were adequately applied to their intended uses, and a detailed identification of all individuals who may have benefited from any scholarship programs offered by the university. This robust constitutional backing provides a strong legal framework for the committee's work, emphasizing the legislature's role in safeguarding public finances and ensuring good governance.

A key catalyst for this legislative probe was the Rivers State House of Assembly's prior decision to withhold approval for a N6 billion allocation designated for PAMO University in the state’s 2026 budget. This refusal signals a heightened level of scrutiny over the university's financial management and its reliance on state funding. The investigation is therefore not just a retrospective look at past disbursements but also a forward-looking measure to inform future budgetary decisions concerning the institution.

PAMO University of Medical Sciences was founded by Peter Odili, who previously served as the Governor of Rivers State and currently holds the position of Pro-Chancellor for the institution. The committee has been given a clear timeline, with a deadline to submit its comprehensive report to the House on or before September 30, 2026. This extensive timeframe suggests a thorough and detailed examination is anticipated, with the findings expected to have significant implications for the university's future funding and for the broader landscape of public accountability within Rivers State.

This legislative probe into PAMO University's funds signals heightened oversight by the Rivers State House of Assembly, leveraging Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution. Lawyers advising institutions receiving public funds in Nigeria should note this as a precedent for increased scrutiny of fund utilization and scholarship schemes, indicating a need for robust financial transparency and compliance frameworks to mitigate exposure to similar investigations.

Source: Original reporting via local news reports