From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Pamo University of Medical Sciences, a private university owned by former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, has threatened legal action against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, over what it describes as false and defamatory statements about the university.
The State House of Assembly said it has expunged the sum of N6bn scholarship fund allocated to the university on the ground that it has not accounted for the previous funds allocated to it.
The university in a letter of retraction sent to Speaker Amaehule through its lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, alleged that the Speaker, while presenting the 2026 Rivers State Appropriation Act to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for assent, said the House Committee had considered a six-billion-naira proposal for Pamo University and found that the institution had not been transparent in managing funds allocated to it over the years.
However, the university has rejected the allegations as false and unfounded. Its lawyer says Pamo University has never been invited by the Rivers State House of Assembly, or any other body, to account for or defend funds provided by the Rivers State Government under its scholarship programme for Rivers students.
Adedipe says the university has, since the beginning of the scholarship scheme, used the funds strictly and properly for the purpose for which they were provided.
The university Lawyer said the Speaker’s statements have damaged its reputation and integrity.
It is demanding an immediate retraction and apology within 24 hours of receiving the demand.
The lawyer says if the Speaker fails or refuses to meet the demand within that period, Pamo University will take him to court to seek legal redress.
Earlier, during the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, disclosed that the university’s allocation was removed from the 2026 state budget, with part of the money reallocated for the renovation of a facility belonging to the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. Ends
