The Delta State House of Assembly, (DSHA), has upheld the six-month suspension of the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Emmanuel Achuenu.
It may not be unconnected to the deepening conflict between the rector and the Governing Council of the Polytechnic whereby the council suspended the rector.
The decision came after the House considered and adopted a comprehensive 29-page report presented by the chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon Dennis Guwor.
The Assembly has therefore reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly to ensuring transparency, good governance, and adherence to due process across all state institutions by upholding the Rector’s suspension.
This follows the adoption of the report of its ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the lingering administrative and financial crisis rocking the institution.
The committee was constituted to investigate the deepening conflict between the rector and the Governing Council of the Polytechnic, which had escalated into a major institutional crisis threatening the peace, stability, and rising profile of the institution.
Presenting the report, Nwaobi explained that the investigation uncovered alleged administrative misconduct and financial breaches involving the Rector and some management officials of the Polytechnic.
He said the committee’s findings also revealed alleged certificate racketeering, irregular auctioning of metal scraps, vehicles, and other property of the institution, 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 so as to allow for an unfettered, undisturbed, and unbiased investigation into the allegations against him.
It further recommended that the Deputy Rector should act in an interim capacity for the duration of the Rector’s suspension to ensure administrative stability.
The committee also recommended 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 to extend the Bursar’s suspension to six months, aligning it with that of the Rector.
In addition, the committee urged the Hon 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 also admonished the commissioner to desist from any actions that could be interpreted as usurping the powers of the Visitor.
The committee further called on the Visitor to the Polytechnic, the Governor, to invoke Section 32(1) and (2) of the law establishing the institution, which empowers the Visitor to conduct a visitation or direct such a visitation into the affairs of the Polytechnic.
The visitation, according to the committee, should focus on: the alleged administrative misconduct and financial improprieties by the Rector and Management; the existence and operation of a certificate racketeering syndicate within the Polytechnic.
The alleged auction sale of metal scraps, vehicles, and other institutional properties; the general state of the Polytechnic’s finances and revenue administration; and the overall affairs and governance of the institution.
Nwaobi stated that the faithful implementation of the committee’s recommendations would effectively address the issues under investigation, restore order, and promote good governance in the Polytechnic.
The lawmaker added that the measures would also strengthen accountability, enhance due process, and promote harmony among stakeholders in the institution.
After extensive deliberations by the Lawmakers on the report, the House adopted the recommendations with the amendment extending the Bursar’s suspension to six months.
The Speaker directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the house to the Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and other parties involved, reaffirming the commitment of the Assembly to ensuring transparency, good governance, and adherence to due process across all state institutions.
