by Isi Esene

Reports say the Abia State University has withdrawn the degree certificate awarded to the former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu following recommendations made by the institution’s Senate.

The school’s Registrar, O. E. Onuoha, said this on Saturday explaining that the decision was made following the recommendations of a panel set up look into allegations made against the former governor.

According to Punch Newspapers reports, Onuoha said, “On the strength of the findings and recommendations of an investigative panel into allegations of breach of the extant academic regulations of Abia State University, in the admission process of the admission and graduation of Kalu Orji Uzor in the discipline of Government and Public Administration, of matriculation number 00/42226, the Senate of the university at its resumed 69th extra-ordinary meeting of March 1, 2013 and by a vote of 88 against three dissenting voices only, approved  the cancellation and withdrawal of the degree, result and certificate awarded to him.

“The decision of Senate was based on the following grounds among others: The violation of the academic regulations of the university on Admission-by-Transfer, which rendered the offer irregular, ab initio and the he non-completion of the mandatory six semesters (i.e. three academic years of study), before he was awarded a degree of the university. He spent only two semesters in all.

“The university Senate maintained that its action, aforesaid, derived from the exercise of its onerous statutory responsibility to guard and maintain , at all times, the academic regulations of the university, its hard-earned reputation and the credibility of the certificates it awards.”

Kalu was said to have dropped out of the University of Maiduguri and re-enrolled at ABSU where he reportedly spent two out of the mandatory six semesters.