The Abia State Executive Council has constituted a five-man Special Investigative Committee to probe recent allegations of harassment and extortion involving students and lecturers of Abia State University, Uturu.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the committee was set up to ensure “the highest level of academic and ethical standards” in the state-owned institution.

According to him, the committee is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, while the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Dodoh Okafor, will serve as secretary.

Other members of the panel are Mr Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa and Professor Lawrence Idemudua.

He said the committee’s terms of reference include “the identification of the perpetrator and to make appropriate recommendations to the Visitor to the university.

He stated, “Two, allegations of bribery against a lecturer, as well as allegations of forged certificates against the same lecturer.

“Three, to determine the extent of the implementation of the white paper on the 2024 full investigation panel to the university and to identify implementation gaps.

“Four, any other matter that may be relevant to the ongoing transformation and restoration of Abia State University as a citadel of learning and excellence in teaching and research.”

Kanu added that the committee is expected to work closely with the university’s governing council in carrying out its assignment.

The commissioner also announced the commencement of the 2026 Annual School Census across the state.

According to him, the exercise began on Monday and is aimed at providing reliable data for educational planning and policy formulation.

“The exercise is designed to provide the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education reliable data for planning, policy formulation, and full access into the Hope Education Intervention Grant,” he said.

He noted that the exercise would cover schools across the three senatorial zones of the state and would last for one month.

Kanu further disclosed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education had established 140 learning centres across the state to provide educational opportunities for adults and individuals who missed formal education.

He also said the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board recently organised training and capacity-building programmes for 265 headteachers and 306 Early Childhood Care Development teachers as part of the state government’s education reform efforts.

The development comes amid ongoing reforms in the education sector under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, which has repeatedly pledged to reposition public schools and tertiary institutions in the state.