By Ghazali Ibrahim
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has categorically denied that Cynthia Chukwundah, the woman accused of setting her boyfriend on fire in Choba, is a student of the institution.
The woman, alleged to be in her third year and heavily pregnant, was identified by Rivers State Police as the 300-level undergraduate responsible for dousing 32-year-old Sunny Amadi in petrol and igniting him during a domestic dispute on Sunday night.
Amadi later succumbed to severe burns at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the victim died from severe injuries and noted that the suspect, who also sustained burns, is currently hospitalized under police watch.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, UNIPORT’s Head of Information, Publications and Public Relations, clarified that after an internal verification process, Chukwundah is not listed in the university’s records.
The institution extended condolences to the grieving families and confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
“Following thorough internal checks and verification of our student records, the university wishes to categorically state that Cynthia Chukwundah is not a student of the University of Port Harcourt,” Dr. Kpenu emphasized.
Police revealed Chukwundah allegedly set her partner ablaze at a one-room apartment on Okoro Street amid a dispute about the pregnancy.
She fled but was later apprehended and is currently receiving treatment. Investigators are yet to determine the motive or cause of the blaze.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju has urged calm, stressing that a thorough investigation is underway and justice will be served.
