EFCC Receives Petition Against Ex-UNICAL VC Akpagu Over Alleged Financial Infractions

CALABAR — September 25, 2026: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition calling for an investigation into Professor Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, who served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) from 2015 to 2020.

The petition alleges financial, procurement and accountability irregularities during his tenure at the university. It was formally received at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on September 22, 2026, according to a receipt cited in a report by The Guardian.

What the petition alleges

The petition, submitted by Law & Order Attorneys, asks the EFCC to examine alleged irregularities involving contract awards, project execution and the management of university funds.

It also refers to issues contained in the Presidential Visitation Panel Report and Federal Government White Paper covering the university’s 2016–2020 period.

Among the matters raised are alleged contract-splitting and questions around compliance with public procurement procedures. The petition also asks the EFCC to examine several reportedly unfinished TETFund and NEEDS Assessment projects and determine how funds allocated to them were used.

Petition seeks forensic review

The lawyers have asked the anti-graft agency to examine procurement records from the period and conduct financial and technical reviews of projects funded through TETFund, NEEDS Assessment and other sources.

They also want the identities and beneficial ownership of companies and contractors that received significant payments from the university examined.

However, these are allegations contained in a petition, not established findings of wrongdoing. There is currently no indication from the documents cited that the EFCC has completed an investigation or made a finding against Akpagu.

Akpagu now a political candidate

The development comes as Akpagu is the PDP candidate for the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The petition concerns his previous administration at UNICAL and should not, by itself, be treated as proof of wrongdoing.

What happens next?

The key question is whether the EFCC will open a formal investigation and what evidence, if any, emerges from such an investigation.

For now, the confirmed development is that the EFCC has received a petition requesting an investigation. The allegations remain subject to verification.