The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education has dismissed a report linking the suspension of the rector of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, COAST, Jalingo, Dr Yakubu Ali Garjila, to an alleged dispute over TETFund intervention funds.
The ministry described the report published by an online newspaper as “false, baseless and misleading,” insisting that the commissioner for Tertiary Education never demanded TETFund money from the suspended rector.
In a statement signed by the commissioner for Tertiary Education, Yakubu A. Yunusa, the ministry said there was no dispute between the commissioner and Garjila over TETFund intervention funds.
“The circumstances surrounding the rector’s suspension were unrelated to TETFund funds, contrary to the report”, the commissioner said .
“The suspension followed an alleged failure by COAST to comply with governor Agbu Kefas’ directive on the reduction of tuition fees by 50 per cent,” the commissioner added.
The ministry alleged that the institution continued to collect tuition fees without implementing the approved reduction.
It said an investigative panel had been constituted to examine the matter and establish the facts surrounding the alleged non-compliance.
“The investigation is ongoing, and no final conclusion should be drawn until the panel completes its assignment and submits its report,” the statement said.
The ministry acknowledged the media’s responsibility to investigate alleged wrongdoing in government and hold public institutions accountable, but urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and proper verification of facts.
It also called on media organisations to seek clarification from relevant authorities and give all parties an opportunity to respond before publishing reports on sensitive issues involving public institutions and officials.
The ministry urged members of the public to remain calm and disregard unverified reports concerning the matter, assuring that the outcome of the investigation would be communicated through appropriate official channels.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process, as well as the implementation of policies of the Taraba state government in the interest of students, staff and the people of the state.
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