Rivers State University SRC Petition Seeks Suspension and Removal of SUG President Over Financial Misconduct

The Ways and Means Committee of the Students' Representative Council (SRC) has formally petitioned for the immediate suspension and removal of Comrade Abinye Omubo-Pepple, the current President of the Students Union Government (SUG). The petition alleges serious violations of the SUG Constitution, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, and misappropriation of Union funds.

The committee's petition highlights a significant breach of Article 16, Section 1, Sub-section L of the SUG Constitution, which mandates that Union funds be used as allocated and properly accounted for. Comrade Omubo-Pepple received Four Million Naira (N4,000,000.00) for the Hostel D water project but reportedly failed to execute the project or provide necessary financial documentation.

Additionally, the petition accuses Omubo-Pepple of continuous misconduct. On August 30, 2024, the committee requested a status report on the water project, with a deadline of September 3, 2024. Despite being granted an extension, Omubo-Pepple failed to meet the new deadline or communicate any updates, which the petitioners argue constitutes abuse of office and gross misconduct.

The petition also describes the failure to utilize the allocated funds as indicative of financial misappropriation, undermining the credibility of the SUG and eroding student trust in its leadership.

In response to these concerns, the Ways and Means Committee has proposed that Omubo-Pepple be temporarily barred from accessing or withdrawing funds from the Union account until a full investigation is conducted. The SRC is urged to initiate an inquiry into Omubo-Pepple’s conduct and consider immediate suspension and removal if the claims are substantiated.

The SRC has yet to respond to the petition, and the investigation's outcome remains pending.