The Delta State House of Assembly has upheld the six-month suspension of the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Emmanuel Achuenu, following the adoption of the report of its Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate the lingering administrative and financial crisis in the institution.
The decision came after the House considered and adopted a comprehensive 29-page report presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
The Ad-hoc Committee was constituted to probe the deepening conflict between the Rector and the Governing Council, which had escalated into a major institutional crisis threatening the peace, stability, and rising profile of the Polytechnic.
Presenting the report, Hon. Nwaobi said the investigation uncovered alleged administrative misconduct and financial irregularities involving the Rector, Professor Achuenu, and some management officials of the institution.
According to him, the committee’s findings also revealed alleged certificate racketeering, irregular auctioning of metal scraps, vehicles, and other institutional properties, as well as questionable financial transactions within the Polytechnic’s accounts and revenue system.
In its recommendations, the committee advised that the six-month suspension of the Rector earlier approved by the Governing Council be upheld by the Visitor to the Polytechnic, the Governor of Delta State to allow for an unfettered and unbiased investigation into the allegations against him.
It also recommended that the Deputy Rector should assume office in an acting capacity during the Rector’s suspension to ensure administrative continuity.
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Furthermore, the committee proposed a three-month suspension for the Bursar, with the most senior Chief Accountant directed to act pending the conclusion of investigations. However, after deliberations, the House amended the recommendation, extending the Bursar’s suspension to six months, aligning it with that of the Rector.
The committee also urged the Commissioner for Higher Education to be cautioned and advised to always act in strict compliance with the law establishing the Polytechnic and other tertiary institutions in the State. It admonished the Commissioner to desist from actions that could be interpreted as usurping the powers of the Visitor.
In addition, the committee called on the Visitor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to invoke Section 32 (1) and (2) of the law establishing the Polytechnic, empowering him to conduct a visitation into the affairs of the institution.
According to the committee, such visitation should focus on alleged administrative misconduct and financial improprieties by the Rector and management; the existence of a certificate racketeering syndicate; irregular auctioning of institutional property; and the overall governance of the Polytechnic.
Hon. Nwaobi expressed confidence that faithful implementation of the committee’s recommendations would restore order, promote accountability, and strengthen good governance in the Polytechnic.
After extensive deliberations, the House adopted the report and its recommendations, with the amendment extending the Bursar’s suspension to six months.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, thereafter directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the resolution to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and other concerned parties, reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, due process, and good governance in all state institutions.
