Rivers Assembly Opens Probe Into Funds Sent To PAMO University

The Rivers State House of Assembly has opened an inquiry into funds disbursed to PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, after lawmakers questioned the institution’s funding history and blocked a fresh N6bn allocation in the 2026 budget.

The House set up a seven-member ad hoc committee to review how much money the state government has sent to the private medical university since it was established in 2017, whether the money was used for the stated purposes, and who benefited from scholarship schemes linked to the funding.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule constituted the committee under Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, according to reports on the Assembly’s statement. The committee is led by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and includes Silvanus Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Henrietta Loolo, Peter Abbey, Napoleon Ukalikpe and Emilia Amadi.

The inquiry followed debate around the Rivers 2026 Appropriation Bill. During the budget process, lawmakers raised concerns about accountability for money allocated to PAMO and declined to approve a proposed N6bn provision for the university.

The committee is expected to report back to the House on or before September 30, 2026. PAMO University was founded by former Rivers governor Peter Odili, who is also its pro-chancellor.

Sources: Punch, Channels TV, Daily Post