Emmanuel Obi
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (ARD-UCTH), has ordered an immediate halt to withdrawals from its account with Polaris Bank, Calabar, following allegations of unauthorised transactions involving its immediate past president, Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after an Emergency General Meeting of the association held virtually on Thursday, September 17, 2026, following a petition by a past president and financial member of the association, Dr Antigha Cobham. ARD-UCTH_VOL.06 Polaris bank Cal.pdf
Cobham, in his petition dated September 11, alleged that Idoko continued to sign cheques and effect withdrawals from the association’s account after the expiration of the prescribed period for changing account signatories. He requested that the association obtain certified copies of the account statement and place a no-debit restriction on the account pending the regularisation of its signatories. CamScanner 09-17-2026 09.46.pdf
According to the communiqué, the statement obtained from Polaris Bank revealed multiple transactions in favour of Idoko and other organisations. The association also noted that funds deducted for the NARD September Annual General Meeting, which were expected to be remitted to its Zenith Bank account, were instead transferred to the Polaris Bank account. ARD-UCTH_VOL.06 Polaris bank Cal.pdf
The association consequently resolved to refer Idoko to its Disciplinary Committee for fact-finding and directed that Congress be briefed on the outcome within 14 days. It also resolved to identify the signatories to the transactions and obtain further information on the account. ARD-UCTH_VOL.06 Polaris bank Cal.pdf
The communiqué further stated that if the fact-finding process establishes collusion between bank personnel and the officers involved, the association would activate relevant provisions of the Financial Crimes Commission to recover any funds found to have been wrongfully withdrawn. ARD-UCTH_VOL.06 Polaris bank Cal.pdf
The association also directed that the incumbent president and other designated officers be made signatories to the Polaris Bank account, or that the account be shut down if this could not be effected.
