Students Extortion: DSS Arrests CRUTECH Lecturer

By Ushang Ewa

A lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Engineer Stephen Tekum was yesterday arrested by men of the Department of State Security, DSS while delivering a lecture in the institution for extorting students.

CrossRiverWatch gathered that Stephen was arrested while delivering a lecture at the ETF lecture hall with students by officials of the DSS led by senior management officials including the Vice Chancellor, VC of the institution, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh in what some students described as judgement day for the lecturer who many say is a notorious ‘sorting master’.

Findings by CrossRiverWatch also revealed that Stephen who is a graduate of the institution and was sponsored by the institution for his Masters degree outside the country, upon his return became a thorn in the flesh of students.

Investigations reveal that Stephen requires his project students to pay a minimum of N25, 000 naira for his project students with a proof of payment into his account and demands up to 50 thousand naira to pass carry over students.

Students who spoke with CrossRiverWatch say he had earlier been warned by the Vice Chancellor but paid no heed which forced the head of the institution to invite officials of the DSS.

Efforts to speak with some members of the institution’s management proved abortive as some were tight lipped on the issue.