…Assembly Launches Probe into Funds Released Since 2017
The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected a proposed N6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences in the 2026 budget, raising serious concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds .
CDA News Nigeria reports that Speaker Martin Amaewhule disclosed the decision during the signing of the N1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The Speaker stated that lawmakers were not satisfied with explanations regarding how billions of naira previously released to the private university were spent .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the Speaker also revealed that the university failed to appear before the Assembly during budget defence, despite being invited to account for funds it had received. “Everybody must defend funds released to him or her,” Amaewhule declared, stressing that the Assembly would continue to demand accountability from all bodies receiving government funds .
The Assembly has since constituted a seven-member Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the total funds disbursed to PAMO University since its inception in 2017 . The committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, is mandated to determine how much the university has received, whether funds were properly utilised, and the identities of scholarship beneficiaries .
Part of the blocked allocation has been redirected to the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Development Board for the rehabilitation of health facilities . Meanwhile, PAMO University, through its lawyer Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), has demanded an immediate retraction of the Speaker’s statements and threatened legal action, insisting that it was never invited to defend the funds .
Source verification:Â Original reporting based on official statements from Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule. Attribution to budget signing ceremony.
Editorial Policy:Â CDA News Nigeria is committed to accurate and balanced reporting on governance and accountability matters.
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria. Contact: info@cdanews.ng, www.cdanews.ng, +2348030980314 | 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
