UNICAL refunds illegal charges collected by departments to 196 students

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has refunded an undisclosed amount of money illegally collected by some departments in the institution to 196 students.

Florence Obi, the vice-chancellor of UNICAL, oversaw the refund at the senate chamber of the institution on Thursday.

Earlier, Patrick Egaga, the director of SERVICOM at UNICAL, expressed concern about the welfare of the students.

Egaga revealed that the institution had gotten wind of illegal feels billed by some departments in the institution.

He said the funds were recovered by the directorate and the office of UNICAL’s chief security Officer.

While overseeing the refund, Florence Obi told the students that the move is in line with her administration’s zero tolerance for illegality.

She said the university is making the refund to the affected students for the third time.

The VC charged the students to be bold enough to report any illegal charges.

She commended the Directorate of Service Compact with all Nigerian (SERVICOM), for recovering the illegal charges on behalf of the students.

“If any student of this institution is asked to pay any charges outside the approved charges, such students should report to SERVICOM or the school management,” the VC said.

“Students should always keep the receipt of any payment made; we want to see facts when such complaints get to us.

“I am happy today that the affected students will all receive their monies. We are not out to witch-hunt anyone, but we must do the right thing in this university.

“As a university, we will go after any department that collects unapproved charges; they must refund such to the students.

“If any department has needs for anything, they should write for official approval.”