By Abdulrasheed Olokoto

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union Assistant General Secretary, Fedelia Eseile has been referred to the Students’ Representative Council Disciplinary Committee following allegations of possible financial misappropriation linked to the Freshers’ Week programme.

The development followed a motion raised during the first emergency sitting of the 13th Assembly held at the SRC Chamber, Kunle Adepeju Building, on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Presenting the Freshers’ Week Audit Report, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Hon. Lawal Maryam, stated that the committee identified several financial inconsistencies, undocumented expenditures, and discrepancies in the records submitted.

“Following a review of the approved budget, the Project and Events Monitoring Committee’s report, and the AGS report, several inconsistencies, undocumented expenditures, and financial discrepancies were identified across the records examined,” she said.

According to the report, the total approved budget for the programme stood at ₦5,706,770. However, the Project and Events Monitoring Committee reported expenditures of ₦5,105,570, while the AGS submitted a report indicating ₦5,113,730 as total spending.

The committee noted that the difference of ₦593,040 between the approved budget and the AGS report raised concerns regarding the management of funds allocated for the event.

Among the findings highlighted by the committee were alleged inflated costs, unapproved expenditures, and possible diversion of funds.

The committee subsequently recommended that the AGS be referred to the SRC Disciplinary Committee over allegations bordering on possible financial misappropriation, late submission of the Freshers’ Week report, and non-compliance with both the Project and Events Monitoring Committee and the Audit Committee.

The committee further stated that the AGS had been granted multiple opportunities for fair hearing during the audit process.

During deliberations, members of the legislative Council raised questions regarding the financial records presented, including concerns over the use of personal funds and the handling of dinner ticket payments.

Responding to the concerns, Fedelia stated that she contributed part of her personal funds to support the success of the programme.

“I would like to state that I even had to use part of my personal funds for the success of this event and that was over ₦200,000,” she said.

The Secretary of the Audit Committee, Hon. Rabiu, questioned the rationale behind the use of personal funds despite the approved budget not being fully exhausted.

“Why did you have to use your personal funds when the approved amount in the budget was far above what was eventually reported to have been spent?” he asked.

Similarly, Hon. Peter questioned whether some sponsorship funds may have been paid into personal accounts without the knowledge of the Assembly.

“How can we be sure that this money claimed to have come from personal funds was not sponsorship that came to your personal accounts? This is politics,” he said.

“It looks like there are some sponsorships that came in that this house is not aware of,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Financial Committee, Hon. Abiola, noted that personal contributions made toward union programmes should be properly documented as donations or sponsorships.

“Personal funds are donations and should be rightfully noted as sponsorship to the union and proper documentation must be provided for it,” he stated.

Addressing concerns surrounding ticket payments, the AGS explained that payments were initially made into her personal account before being transferred to the Union Treasurer for remittance into the Union’s official account.

Following deliberations, Hon. Rabiu moved a motion for the adoption of the Audit Committee’s recommendations and for the AGS’ case to be forwarded to the SRC Disciplinary Committee in line with the committee’s report.

The motion was subsequently adopted by the Assembly through a show of hands.