By Staff Reporter

The Provost of the College of Education, Akwanga, Dr. Best Barau, has challenged the camp of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, to produce evidence to substantiate claims that the Nasarawa State Government denied the former police chief access to a public venue for his agricultural empowerment programme.
Barau, who reacted to the controversy in a statement in Akwanga today, said he was not aware of any venue being denied to ex-IGP Adamu or the organisers of the programme.
“To the best of my knowledge, there was no denial of any venue,” the Provost said.
He challenged those making the allegation to identify the facility they claimed was denied, saying such details would allow the matter to be independently verified.
“If there was, let them mention the name of the venue so we can verify whether the request was truly denied,” he added.
Barau also demanded that the organisers make public the application allegedly submitted to secure the use of the venue.
“Let them also make public a copy of the letter of application for the venue,” he said.
The Provost described the allegation as an attempt to divert public attention from what he called the facts of the matter.
“This, in my view, is simply an attempt to divert people from the truth,” Barau stated.
The development comes amid a brewing controversy over the second phase of ex-IGP Adamu’s statewide agro-empowerment programme, following allegations by his camp that the organisers were denied access to a public venue in Akwanga.
The latest response from the College of Education has now shifted attention to the documentary evidence behind the allegation, with the Provost insisting that the venue in question and the purported application should be made public.
As of the time of filling this report, the former IGP’s camp had yet to publicly respond to Barau’s demand for the name of the venue and a copy of the alleged application.