Rhapsodi  Affos Blog - RAB Reporter 

A few days after the protest staged by students of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Taraba State University (TSU), at the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, fresh claims of alleged financial misconduct have emerged within the department.

According to a public statement signed by Concerned BMLS Students of Taraba State University, the group has accused some departmental authorities of embezzlement, extortion, and financial misappropriation in connection with indexing fees collected from students—allegedly in violation of official guidelines set by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

The statement, titled “Claim of Embezzlement and Financial Misappropriation in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Taraba State University (TSU),” cited a circular issued by the MLSCN on January 18, 2024, and signed by the Council’s Registrar/CEO, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, which approved a maximum indexing fee of ₦65,000 for any BMLS student.

However, the students allege that the department collected as much as ₦132,000 from 987 students (covering the 400–900 level batches) and ₦82,000 from over 500 students (in 200 and 300 levels) without official receipts from the university bursary or approval from the MLSCN.

They further claimed that the excess collections—amounting to over ₦74 million—constituted embezzlement and abuse of office by departmental officials.

The statement also accused the department’s leadership of violating financial regulations, abusing administrative powers, and misrepresenting MLSCN policies to justify what they described as “extortionate demands” from students.

The students demanded that the university management, MLSCN, and relevant anti-corruption agencies such as ICPC and EFCC immediately launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged illegal collections.

They also called for the suspension of the Head of Department and all staff involved, as well as a refund of excess fees and a comprehensive audit of all financial transactions since the department’s inception.

RAB gathered that this development follows the recent protest by Medical Laboratory Science students at TY Danjuma House, Jalingo, where they sought an audience with the Governor over the department’s lack of full accreditation despite raising more than ₦130 million in fees.

Shortly after the protest, the University Management announced the suspension of all student associations on campus.

As at press time, all efforts by RAB Reporter to reach the management of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science for comments proved abortive.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University has publicly announced a meeting with the students scheduled for tomorrow to address the ongoing issues and allegations surrounding the department.

Credit:  Original article by Concerned BMLS Students, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Taraba State University, Jalingo.

Follow-up report by: RAB Reporter, Rhapsodi Affos Blog (RAB Media).