Students at the College of Health Technology in Calabar are reportedly still being subjected to unauthorized fee collections despite a recent stern warning from the Cross River State government against such practices.

According to reports, lecturers at the institution are demanding between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 from students to 'sort' courses during ongoing examinations, with threats of failure for non-compliance.

This defiance comes barely two weeks after the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, issued a directive prohibiting illegal levies across all state health institutions following a similar scandal at the Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences.

Students who spoke to reporters expressed frustration over the continued extortion, stating they had already paid their official school fees and other legitimate charges.

"We see this as significant extortion. Many of us have paid our school fees and other official charges, like departmental fees, yet we are still burdened with compulsory and illegal fees which we can't afford," one student lamented.

Another student highlighted that with over 50 students in a class, lecturers stand to collect substantial amounts through these unauthorized demands. "If you multiply ₦15,000 by that number, you will be surprised by the staggering amount somebody will go home with, an amount that is not his monthly salary," the student explained.

Students also alleged that many lecturers rarely attend classes yet demand payment to pass their courses. Some students reported being forced to purchase handouts or books authored by lecturers, which they claim to have already bought in previous classes.

When contacted, an official from the provost's office identified as Dr. John denied the school's knowledge of such practices, stating: "It is not true that the school authorities have knowledge of such demands allegedly placed by some lecturers. The school has usually cautioned against any form of extortion. I am sure that such allegations will be looked into by the school."

The Health Commissioner had previously announced the establishment of a panel of inquiry to investigate similar allegations at Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences and mandated the refund of all unjustified payments to affected students.

Despite these measures, some students at the College of Health Technology have vowed to resist the intimidation and excessive extortion, stating: "Of course, some of us have stamped our feet. We won't pay. We'll resist intimidation and excessive extortion."

The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of government directives in curbing unauthorized fee collections in state-owned educational institutions and the monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure compliance.