Philips Nto | File Image
The panel had stated that since the Provost, Prof Vincent Onwe, refused Nto access to the documents, it would nolonger need the former Provost to appear again
By James Ibezim
The immediate past Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA), Dr Philips Nto, has commended the state panel on Recovery of Government Property for being firm, fair and just in the handling of petitions before it.
Nto pointed out that he had earlier raised the alarm that some people wanted to use the panel to achieve sinister motives, while also hailing the Chairman, Justice Florence Duruoha Igwe, and the members for resisting them.
Also read: MOUAU appoints Nto as director of Agribusiness Centre
Nto spoke after the panel berated the management of ASCETA for denying him access to vital documents he needed to defend himself before the panel on petitions against him.
The panel had stated that since the Provost, Prof Vincent Onwe, refused Nto access to the documents, it would nolonger need the former Provost to appear again.
Nto had told the panel that the ASCETA management frustrated all his efforts to access the vital documents to enable him do justice to the petition against him.
Nto further pointed out that he had written to the current Provost both through the panel and his own lawyer for access only for him to rebuff the moves.
He told the panel that since he was unceremoniously removed from office before the end of his second tenure as the provost, it became impossible for him to access not just the documents but his personal effects.
He said as a law-abiding citizen who served the state diligently and honestly first as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning and later as Provost of ASCETA, he had faithfully appeared before the panel to clear his name against any petition.
Nto, who is the current Director of Agricbusines Incubation Centre at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, said that some people had conspired with ASCETA Union members to tarnish his image.
He lamented that it was unfortunate that after lifting the college from obscurity and placing it as one of the fastest growing institutions with world class infrastructure and digital instructional materials, some people, out of envy, wanted to pull him down.
He expressed gratitude to the panel for resisting such people and standing by the truth and justice.
Nto said that while he has forgiven his traducers, he would go at any lawful length to ensure that he protects his name and reputation built over the years.
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