EXTORTION: COLLEGE STUDENTS LAMENT AS LECTURERS DEFY CROSS RIVER GOVERNMENT

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By: Motunrayo Aniwura

Despite a strict warning from the Cross River State government, the College of Health Technology in Calabar is reportedly still involved in the collection of unauthorized fees.

Roughly two weeks ago, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the State Commissioner for Health, took a firm stand against the imposition of illegal charges at the Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences, labeling the practice a gross breach of trust and a violation of official policies.

A widely shared video on social media had brought to light what appeared to be the extortion of students, with no receipts or official documentation provided for the payments.

The incident sparked public outrage, drawing reactions from parents, students, and citizens who demanded swift intervention.

In response, the Commissioner issued a directive to immediately stop all illegal fee collections in health institutions across the state.

He also ordered that any unjustified payments be refunded to students without delay or excuses.

Angered by the revelations, Dr. Ayuk announced that a panel of inquiry would be set up to fully investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

He further stressed that any institution involved in such unethical practices must cease immediately and refund all illicitly collected money to affected students.

However, new reports from the College of Health Technology, Calabar, indicate that lecturers and examiners have ignored the directive.

Students enrolled in both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programs, currently sitting for examinations, allege that they are being forced to pay between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 to lecturers in order to pass their courses.

Additional reports reveal that students are also being coerced into purchasing handouts or textbooks authored by certain lecturers—materials some claim to have already bought in earlier sessions.

According to several students, this extortion has persisted, despite numerous complaints to school management and department heads, which have yielded no action.

Just days ago, students confronted a specific lecturer who allegedly demanded ₦15,000 per student, warning that failure to comply would result in them failing his course.

“We see this as significant extortion. Many of us have paid our school fees and other official charges, like departmental fees, yet we are still burdened with compulsory and illegal fees which we can’t afford.

“In our class, we are over 50. If you multiply N15,000 by that number you will be surprised by the staggering amount somebody will go home with, an amount that is not his monthly salary.

“Of course, some of us have stamped our feet. We won’t pay. We’ll resist intimidation and excessive extortion,” one of them said.

Another female student alleged that many of the lecturers hardly attended classes yet they would demand money to ‘sort’ their courses.

According to him, there is too much corruption in the school.

An official in the office of the provost who gave his name as Dr John denied that the school authorized such illegal extortion.

“It is not true that the school authorities have knowledge of such demands allegedly placed by some lecturers.

“The school has usually cautioned against any form of extortion.

“I am sure that such allegations will be looked into by the school”, he said.