The Cross River State Government has launched an investigation into the alleged irregular auctioning of assets belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) by members of the immediate past Governing Council.
Findings indicated that the multiple petitions submitted to that effect pointed fingers at the Governing 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.
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It was also alleged that the assets were sold directly to the Council members and other insiders, bypassing the legal requirements for public advertisement under the Public Procurement Act. Instead, the school merely issued a notice and circular, raising suspicions of a deliberate attempt to conceal the transactions.
In response, Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, issued a directive on March 19, 2025, on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu, demanding an urgent review of the auction.
The Government 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 a proof of payments, including account details, total proceeds, and how the funds were managed
The Cross River Government, however, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the proper management of public assets, warning that any breaches of the law would not go unpunished.
