The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced an investigation into the management and utilisation of funds released to PAMO University of Medical Sciences over the years.

The Assembly has summoned the university’s management alongside several senior state government officials to appear before an ad-hoc committee and provide explanations on how the funds allocated to the institution were spent.

Among those invited are the management of PAMO University, the State Accountant General, the Commissioner for Education, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and other officials considered relevant to the investigation.

The lawmakers are expected to question the officials during a sitting scheduled for September 16. The probe is intended to establish whether funds approved and released to the university were used for the purposes for which they were appropriated.

Anambra Still Repaying Loans Taken By Peter Obi, Obiano Administrations

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said the investigation was being conducted within the constitutional powers of the legislature.

He explained that the summons was issued pursuant to Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empower the legislature to investigate matters relating to public funds and government expenditure.

Amaewhule also cautioned the invited officials against disregarding the summons, stressing that they were expected to appear before the committee on the scheduled date.

P — Probe Into PAMO University Funding

The investigation comes only weeks after the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected a proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University in the state’s 2026 budget.

The development has increased attention on the financial relationship between the state government and the privately owned medical university, particularly regarding public funds previously released to the institution.

The lawmakers are expected to examine available financial records and seek clarification from government officials and university management on the nature and purpose of past allocations.

The outcome of the investigation could provide further details on how the funds were approved, released and ultimately utilised.

Meanwhile, political tensions have also continued in Rivers State following an incident involving members of the African Democratic Congress.

The party has demanded an investigation into the arrest of three of its members during the disruption of a political meeting in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The ADC identified the arrested individuals as Confidence Amadi, Chikezie Justice and Isaiah Thomas. The party called for their immediate release unless the police can establish credible evidence linking them to a specific offence.

According to the party, the incident occurred during a consultative meeting organised by its House of Assembly candidate for Ikwerre, Jeffrey Wobodo, as part of preparations for planned campaign activities.

The ADC alleged that police personnel and members of the local vigilante organisation, OSPAC, entered the venue and disrupted the gathering.

The party further alleged that some participants were assaulted and that several people sustained injuries during the incident. It also claimed that mobile phones belonging to some of its members were seized.

The three arrested individuals were reportedly accused of cultism following the disruption.

The ADC alleged that Wobodo subsequently approached the authorities to seek their release but was informed by the Isiokpo Area Commander, ACP Felix Ojiaku, that the men would be charged with cultism based on an alleged “order from above.”

The party said the alleged directive required clarification, particularly because of concerns over the conduct of security personnel during political activities.

The ADC also alleged that some OSPAC members later mobilised to the Area Command and attacked some party members near the police facility. It said other police officers eventually intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.

The party described the incident as concerning, particularly in light of what it characterised as previous threats and attacks targeting opposition political activities in Ikwerre.

Both developments highlight growing scrutiny of public affairs and political activities in Rivers State as preparations for future political contests continue.