A senior lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Professor Umar Ka’oje has voluntarily returned the sum of N1,153,953.36 wrongly paid to him by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
According to information, the money was paid to the don after expiration of his teaching contract with the nation’s apex military academy.
The Commandant of the NDA, Major General John-Ochefu Ochai, visited the Professor in Zaria yesterday, November 8, to deliver a letter of commendation from NDA to him, dated Sept. 11.
The Head of the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Dr. Rahanatu Lawal, who received the Commandant: said: ”Only a few people today could exhibit Professor Ka’oje’s uncommon moral courage stressing such exemplary character should be emulated.”
This was even as the commandant said that he had to follow up the letter of commendation earlier written to the professor with the physical visit to further show appreciation for such act.
According to him, the act exhibited by Ka’oje was extremely rare in Africa’s clime.
He pledged the NDA’s readiness to further honour the professor at an appropriate time.
The commandant also expressed gratitude to the department for its well established culture of training leaders to be honest and accountable.
In his response, Ka’oje commended the academy, saying: ”the Commandant equally deserved commendation for recognising and rewarding honesty.”
