Umunya, Anambra State — 5th Sept, 2025

In a scathing petition to the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Godwin Uchenna Akam, Pro-Chancellor of Tansian University, has accused Rev. Fr. Edwin Chukwujekwu Obiorah, SAN, of orchestrating a “corporate coup” to seize control of the institution following the death of its founder, Very Rev. Msgr. Prof. John Bosco Akam.

Prof. Akam described Obiorah as a “hungry interloper,” alleging that the Catholic priest turned himself into the proprietor of the university by distorting records, sidelining stakeholders, and imposing his authority.

“This is not legal representation; this is shameless meddlesomeness by a man who has no inheritance in Tansian University but seeks to possess it like a thief in the night,” he declared.

Allegations of Takeover

According to the petition, Rev. Fr. Obiorah—initially engaged as an external legal counsel in 2017—repositioned himself as both Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees after the founder’s death in 2021.

Prof. Akam alleged that Obiorah sidelined the university’s founding body, the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi (MST), and unilaterally filled critical positions with loyalists.

Documents reviewed by Jungle-Journalist.Com indicate that Obiorah’s law firm, Equity Law Office, facilitated the registration of a new entity, Tansian University Umunya, Anambra State Limited by Guarantee. Prof. Akam insists this parallel structure is being used to run the university outside its original governance framework.

He further accused Obiorah of altering laws, disbanding the original governing council, and installing a rival council composed of his own associates.

Parallel Councils and Stakeholder Discontent

Prof. Akam wrote:

“There are now parallel university governing councils. Someone appointed as external solicitor has turned himself into the Proprietor.”

He named Mr. Innocent Uke and former Registrar Mr. Daniel Igwilo as collaborators in the alleged scheme.

At an NUC-convened stakeholder meeting on July 8, 2024, which included Catholic Church representatives, past pro-chancellors, and university officials, it was resolved that MST remains the legitimate proprietor of Tansian University. The meeting also affirmed that the university’s name should not be linked to the newly registered corporate entity.

Petition to the NUC

Prof. Akam demanded urgent intervention from the NUC, including:

• Dissolution of the parallel governing council created by Obiorah.
• Official recognition of MST as the sole proprietor.
• Nullification of all administrative appointments made since February 2021.
• Removal of Obiorah from all roles within the university.
• Nomination of an NUC representative to the governing council.

He warned that Tansian University was being run “more like a parish or diocese than a proper academic institution,” insisting that academic integrity and peace could not be restored until Obiorah stepped down.

Legal Concerns and Silence from Obiorah

Legal experts consulted by Jungle-Journalist.Com observed that the case raises serious governance and ethical questions, particularly regarding conflicts of interest.

“The transformation from legal adviser to de facto university owner would require extraordinary legal justification,” one legal analyst noted.

As of press time, Rev. Fr. Obiorah had not issued a formal response. Repeated efforts by Jungle-Journalist.Com to obtain comment from Equity Law Office were unsuccessful.

The Way Forward

The NUC has yet to make an official statement, but education stakeholders believe the weight of the allegations will compel a formal investigation. Observers warn that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent for governance in private universities across Nigeria.

Once celebrated as a model faith-based institution, Tansian University is now caught in a bitter power struggle that has shaken its foundations and cast doubt on its future.