Pamo University Threatens To Sue Rivers Speaker Over Alleged Defamatory Statements

The Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt threatened a legal action against the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, over alleged false and defamatory statements about the university.

PUMS lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, in a statement the alleged Amaewhule made the statements while presenting the 2026 Rivers State Appropriation Act to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for assent.

The speaker had while presenting the Appropriation Act to Fubara, said the House Committee had considered a N6 billion proposal for Pamo University and found that the institution had not been transparent in managing funds allocated to it over the years.

But, the university rejected the allegations, describing it as as false and unfounded.

The statement said university has never been invited by the Rivers State House of Assembly, or any other body, to account for or defend funds provided by the Rivers State government under its scholarship programme for Rivers students.

Adedipe stated that the university has, since the beginning of the scholarship scheme, used the funds strictly and properly for the purpose for which they were provided.

The university said Amaewhule’s statements have damaged its reputation and integrity. It is demanding an immediate retraction and apology within 24 hours of receiving the demand.

The statement that if the Speaker fails or refuses to meet the demand within that period, Pamo University will take him to court to seek legal redress.

Earlier, during the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law by Fubara, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Amaewhule disclosed that the university’s allocation was removed from the 2026 state budget, with part of the money reallocated for the renovation of a facility belonging to the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has launched an inquiry funds released by the state government to the Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt since the institution was established in 2017.

The PAMO University of Medical Sciences was founded by former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the institution.

Our correspondent reports that the investigation comes on the heels of Assembly’s decision not to approve the N6 billion allocated to the University in the state 2026 budget.