…Calls grow for independent investigation into administration, staff postings, student charges and disciplinary measures
By Our Correspondent
The Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri (FGGC Owerri), is facing fresh scrutiny following a series of allegations concerning the administration of the school, including alleged staff victimisation, rapid transfers of senior personnel, termination of a part-time teacher’s services, and financial penalties reportedly imposed on students.
The allegations were contained in a petition purportedly written by a concerned parent and addressed to the Honourable Minister of Education, the Imo State Government, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of FGGC Owerri, and other relevant supervisory authorities.
The petitioner said the complaints were being raised in the interest of the students, staff, parents and the reputation of the institution, while urging the appropriate authorities to independently investigate the claims and establish the facts.
According to the petition, Mrs Ozoemena Gladys Onyeguiri assumed office as Director Principal of FGGC Owerri and formally took over from the outgoing Director Principal, Mrs Fransisca Chinwe Obiagwu, on April 17, 2026.
However, the petitioner alleged that the new Principal had reported to the school on the same day and was taken around the institution by the Director Vice Principal, Mr Francis Edebe, and the School Bursar, Mrs Obianuju Ezeoke, before the formal handover and without the knowledge of the outgoing Principal.
The petitioner called on the relevant authorities to establish whether the procedure complied with applicable administrative guidelines and whether the circumstances contributed to subsequent tensions within the school.
A major area of concern raised in the petition is the reported transfer of several senior members of staff within months of the new administration taking over.
The petition alleged that some members of staff perceived to have been associated with the former administration were subjected to intimidation, bullying or threats of transfer.
It further stated that the following staff members were reportedly transferred on August 2, 2026: Mrs Ogueri, Vice Principal, Student Affairs I; Mrs Ejelonu, Vice Principal, Student Affairs II; Chief Stella Orji, Vice Principal, Academics I; and Mrs Okoro Ebere, Head of Subject, Social Studies.
The petitioner also alleged that Dr Mrs Okanne, an Assistant Director, was transferred on August 20, 2026.
The petition did not ask that legitimate transfers be reversed. Rather, it called for an independent examination of the circumstances, procedures and reasons behind the postings.
The petitioner specifically asked authorities to determine whether the transfers were routine administrative decisions carried out in accordance with Federal Ministry of Education procedures or whether any could have been punitive or retaliatory.
Another allegation concerns the reported termination of the services of Engr. Mich, described in the petition as a competent Mathematics teacher who also worked on a part-time basis.
According to the petitioner, the teacher considered his removal unjust and subsequently commenced legal proceedings.
The petition called on the relevant authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the termination and determine whether appropriate administrative procedures and due process were followed.
The petitioner also raised allegations concerning claims of influential connections within the Federal Ministry of Education.
It was alleged that the Principal and Mrs Morah had told individuals within the school community that they had influential Directors within the Ministry who could facilitate further staff transfers.
The petitioner stressed that this was an allegation requiring verification and should not be treated as an established fact.
However, the petition argued that, if such statements were being made, they could create fear among members of staff and undermine confidence in the impartiality of administrative decisions.
The Federal Ministry of Education was therefore urged to investigate whether any official influence had been improperly used in connection with personnel decisions at the school.
The petition also raised questions about alleged charges imposed on outgoing SS3 students for clearance forms.
According to the complaint, clearance forms which had previously been issued without such charges were allegedly attracting payments of either ₦1,000 or ₦2,000, with the collection reportedly handled through Mrs Morah. Students were also allegedly required to provide A4 sheets.
The petitioner called for clarification on whether the charges had been formally approved and requested that the relevant authorities establish who authorised the charges, the purpose of the payments, the total amount collected, whether official receipts were issued, and whether proper financial records and accountability exist.
The petitioner argued that parents deserve transparency regarding all approved fees and charges imposed on students.
Another allegation relates to an incident involving some SS3 students following their final examinations.
The petition alleged that some students made a fire outside their hostel but were stopped by the hostel matron, and that no destruction of property occurred.
It further alleged that the incident subsequently led to police involvement after an alarm was raised. According to the petition, two students allegedly jumped through a window after seeing the police, reportedly out of fear.
The petitioner claimed that all students in the affected apartment were subsequently surcharged ₦10,000 each.
Some parents, according to the petition, requested clarification concerning the alleged damage or property destroyed that would justify the financial penalties but were allegedly not provided with satisfactory explanations.
The petitioner urged the Ministry to examine the matter and, more broadly, review the academic, hostel and financial requirements applicable to both existing and incoming students at FGGC Owerri.
The petition further alleged that about six outgoing students who reportedly broke bounds were subjected to financial penalties of ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 respectively.
The concerned parent questioned whether such penalties were proportionate and consistent with the approved disciplinary framework for Federal Government Colleges.
The petition did not argue that students who breach school rules should escape disciplinary action. Instead, it called for authorities to determine whether the sanctions imposed were authorised, proportionate and consistent with established regulations.
It also suggested that, where appropriate and permitted by the relevant rules, corrective measures such as counselling, supervised manual labour or other approved disciplinary interventions could be considered.
The petition also expressed concern over reports that additional staff transfers could be forthcoming.
According to the petitioner, such reports had created anxiety among some staff members and parents, particularly amid perceptions that certain personnel decisions might be connected to disagreements or perceived affiliations with the previous administration.
The petitioner urged the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all future personnel decisions concerning FGGC Owerri were based on documented professional and administrative reasons and established procedures.
The petitioner is calling on the Federal Ministry of Education, Imo State Government, the Imo State Police Command, the PTA and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the allegations.
Among the specific requests are calls to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations raised; review the circumstances surrounding the recent transfers of senior staff; establish whether any transfers were punitive, retaliatory or inconsistent with Ministry procedures; examine the circumstances surrounding the termination of Engr. Mich and determine whether due process was followed; investigate fees, surcharges and other financial collections imposed on students; verify approvals, receipts, records and accountability for such collections; examine the disciplinary procedures applied to students involved in the reported incidents; ensure that students are not subjected to arbitrary or disproportionate financial penalties; investigate allegations concerning improper influence over personnel decisions; and provide a confidential mechanism through which staff, students and parents can report concerns without fear of victimisation.
The petitioner maintained that the purpose of the complaint was not to discredit any individual or administration but to protect the interests and reputation of Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri.
The school, the petitioner noted, has been built over many years through the contributions of successive administrations, teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders.
The petition therefore called for an urgent, impartial and transparent investigation, stressing that an investigation would also provide an opportunity to clear any individual against whom allegations were found to be unsubstantiated.
Conversely, where wrongdoing is established, the petitioner urged the appropriate authorities to take corrective action.
The central demand is for transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of the institution, with the welfare and education of the students placed at the forefront.
As the allegations remain claims requiring independent verification, the relevant authorities and persons named in the petition would have an opportunity to respond to the issues raised.
For parents and other stakeholders, the immediate concern is that the Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri, should remain an institution where staff, students and parents have confidence in the fairness, professionalism and transparency of its administration.
