By Austin Ogwuda
THE lingering crisis rocking the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku over alleged monumental fraud and certificate racketeering would soon be over.
This followed the submission of a comprehensive Report by the Probe panel instituted by the Delta State government on the matter.
The Probe panel otherwise known as ‘Committee set up on Certificate Racketeering Investigation and Suspension of Affected Staff at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku’ headed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Christopher Osakwe submitted its Report today (Wednesday).
Receiving the Report, Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme thanked the Committee for carrying out a detailed work, assuring that proper actions would be taken on the Report.
His words, “I want to commend the Chairman and members of this Committee for doing a very good job.
*The embattled Rector of Ogwashi-Uku Poly, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu
“Your report is very clear and straightforward, especially as it concerns the allegations of certificate racketeering.
“Thank you, we will do an Executive Summary to His Excellency, the Governor for further actions based on your recommendations”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Sir Christopher Osakwe while presenting the Report noted that the Committee was inaugurated on March 25, 2025.
He stated that “this Report details the findings of the Inter-Ministerial Committed constituted to investigate allegations of certificate racketeering and the subsequent suspension of staff at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
“The Committee’s investigation focused on three key areas – conducting an in-dept investigation into the certificate racketeering allegations, reviewing the process leading to staff suspension and making recommendations to ensure institutional integrity and advise on disciplinary actions”.
Other members of the panel include Mr William Ogolokpe, Director, Personnel Management, Office of the Head of Service; Mr Gabriel Eze-Owens, Esq, Director, Advisory Services, Ministry of Justice; Mr Ikechukwu Maduemezie, Esq, Member, Civil Service Commission; Mr Henry Akombe, Director, Accounts, Office of the Accountant-General; Dr (Mrs) Erere Joy, Deputy Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku; and Mrs Bridget Odobor of the Ministry of Higher Education.
At the submission of the Report, top government functionaries were present to witness it including the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. , Prof. Tonukari Johnbull.
Recall that sometime in July this year the crisis degenerated into supremacy battle between the Chairman of the Governing Council, Pastor Paul Adingwupu and the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari.
The Commissioner had faulted the suspension of the Rector of the school, Prof Emmanuel Achuenu by the Governing Council, citing “procedural breach”.
Reacting to the Commissioner’s directive, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Paul Adingwupu wrote the Commissioner a letter dated 9th July 2025, reaffirming that the Council acted within its statutory mandate in suspending the Rector over allegations bordering on financial impropriety and gross misconduct.
The Governing Council chairman stated in the letter that the procedure leading to the suspension of Prof. Achuenu was in full compliance with Part IV, Section 17 (i) of the Delta State Polytechnic Law, which delineates the roles of the Rector in academic and executive functions, but does not strip the Council of its disciplinary authority.
The Council also dismissed the application of Chapter 6, Section 6.5.1 of the institution’s Terms and Conditions of Service for Staff, arguing that the provisions therein do not apply to the Rector, who is not categorised under staff subject to those disciplinary rules. Instead, the document grants the Rector disciplinary authority over other staff members, not vice versa.
The Council stated that it had issued a formal query to Prof. Achuenu regarding the allegations, received an unsatisfactory response, and thereafter invited him to appear before it for further clarifications.
The Rector, according to the Council, reportedly declined to honour the invitation, prompting the Council to resolve to suspend him in the institution’s best interest.
It further stressed that the Commissioner, being a statutory member of the Council cannot unilaterally reverse a resolution passed by the Governing body.
Quoting Section 9 of the Delta State Polytechnic Law, the letter affirmed the Council’s exclusive powers to formulate institutional policies, control property and finances, and take decisions deemed to promote the Polytechnic’s objectives.
“In the light of the foregoing and in the absence of infringement of any law on the part of the Council, we are unable to accede to your directives.
“Accordingly, the Rector remains suspended in line with Council resolution”, the letter which was copied to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori stated.
*Chairman of the Probe Panel, who is also the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Christopher Osakwe (r) submitting the Report to the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme
