If nothing is done by stakeholders, the University of Port Harcourt, Choba will be engulfed in another round of crisis.
According to a letter from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Rivers State branch to the School authorities, if action is not put in place to rectify the situation the body will be forced to go to court for redress.
The letter which was signed by Barr (Mrs) Antonia N. Osadame and made available to journalists, the two appointed auctioneers of the University, Mr. Anthony Ebhotemen and Mrs. Tonia C. Elechi are at each other over the sale of the unserviceable cars and office equipment.
Information has it that the new chairman of the Board of Survey, one Aihaji Sule Mohammed allegedly connived with one of he auctioneers, Mr. Anthony Ebhotemen to sideline his colleague, Mrs. Tonia C. Elechi from participating in this year’s publication and sales, for their selfish interest.
FIDA in its letter joins Mrs. Elechi, a licensed auctioneer of 25 years standing for about five schools and agencies without blemish, to appeal to the school authorities to intervene and rectify the situation, as according to the body the whole thing borders on breach of contract and gender discrimination.
Further investigation by this medium shows that the publication of the auction sales made in Vanguard Newspaper of Wednesday July 30, 2014, was surprisingly signed by Mr. Anthony Ebhotemen alone.
When the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Alex Nmecha was contacted he feigned ignorance of the deal. Likewise, when the chairman, AIhaji Mohammed was contacted he replied that he was busy to talk to any Journalist.
Equally, Mr. Anthony Ebhotemen was contacted on phone, instead of defending himself, started threatening the journalist.
He retorted further “the person you are trying to defend is a dubious character and you better steer clear of this in your own interest,” he warned.
Later, Mr. Ebhotemen called the national chairman of Association of Auctioneers, one Mr. Sule who later called for the report to know what is the problem.
He said FIDA’s letter was copied to the National Assembly, the Minister of Education and Women Affairs, the Pro- Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University as well as the paramount ruler of Choba community, HRH Eze R.O.W. Okocha for necessary action.
Among the prayers of Mrs. Elechi, an indigene of Choba community are that she should be included in the arrangement to dispose of the school’s unserviceable items contained in the said publication.
That the secretary of the Board of Survey be directed to divide between the two auctioneers the properties listed in the publication to be auctioned.
And that the said publication credited to Mr. Anthony Ebhotemen be set aside and to direct a joint publication of the said items by both of them as it is usual. ###
