The Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, has suspended the institution’s Rector, Builder (Prof.) Emmanuel Achuenu, for six months over allegations of financial misappropriation and gross misconduct.
The decision, reached at the Council’s 57th regular meeting on June 27, 2025, followed what the Council described as an unsatisfactory response to a query issued to the Rector regarding overspending during an accreditation exercise.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. (Pastor) Paul Adingwupu, and copied to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Commissioner for Higher Education, stated that the Rector exceeded the Council-approved accreditation budget of ₦69 million by ₦42 million—bringing total expenditure to over ₦111.8 million.
The Council further accused Prof. Achuenu of 13 counts of misconduct, including: Preventing statutory Council meetings. Disrespecting Council members and walking out of meetings. Flouting suspension orders concerning key staff. Unauthorised employment of over 230 staff. Illegal sale of Polytechnic assets. Diverting funds to private accounts.
And making unauthorised payments for projects not commenced.
The Council noted that the Rector failed to honour an invitation to defend himself before the Council on July 3, prompting the decision to suspend him effective July 4 and to hand over duties to the Deputy Rector.
However, when contacted, Prof. Achuenu dismissed the allegations as “baseless lies,” claiming the Council lacks the constitutional power to suspend him. He alleged that Council members have been witch-hunting him since 2024 despite his efforts to reposition the Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerovwo Tonikari, confirmed that the state government is aware of the development and that the Deputy Governor and Secretary to the State Government have been briefed.
Prof. Tonikari also defended the institution’s performance under Achuenu, stating that all programmes at the Polytechnic are fully accredited, with increased carrying capacity and over 25 new academic programmes introduced in the past three years. He highlighted achievements such as establishing a solar energy laboratory, a skills development centre, a 300-capacity lecture hall, and the operation of a Microsoft Academy and world-class science laboratories.
The state government is reportedly reviewing the situation as stakeholders await further directives.
