Delta State Government has overturned the purported suspension of the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Emmanuel Achuenu and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
The reinstatement directive came from the State Ministry of Higher Education.
Faulting the institution’s Governing Council for flouting Chapter 6, Sub section 6..5.1 of the Terms and Conditions of Service for Staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, which outlines the procedural steps to be followed when Council is of the view that a Principal officer has committed a misconduct, the State government noted that there is no evidence before it, through the Ministry of Higher Education, that a written query was issued the Rector, a properly constituted investigative committee comprising three (3) members of Council, one (1) representative of the Academic Board , and one (1) representative of the Congregation, both not lower in rank than the officer concerned ( in this case,the Rector ), was set up
In an official letter addressed to the Chairman of DSPG Governing Council, Mr Paul Adingwupu , with reference No MHE/DSPG//Conf/2, dated 7th July 2025 and signed by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonikari, the action of the Governing Council “exceeds the limits of Council’s disciplinary powers, as no directive appears to have been sought, or obtained from the Visitor through the Ministry, as required”
The letter titled RE: SUSPENSION OF THE RECTOR OF DELTA STATE POLYTECHNIC, OGWASHI-UKU, reads in part : “While the Ministry appreciates the Council,s commitment to upholding discipline and accountability in the Polytechnic, it is imperative to underscore that all disciplinary actions, especially those affecting Principal officers of the Polytechnic, must comply with relevant provisions of the law establishing the Polytechnic, as well as the Terms and Conditions of Service applicable to Principal officers.
“Specifically, the attention of the Council is drawn towards the following statutory provisions : Part 1V, Section 17 (1), of the law establishing the Polytechnic which states, “The Chairman of Council shall in relation to the Polytechnic, take precedence over all members of the Polytechnic, EXCEPT the Visitor and the Rector, except when acting as Chairman of the Congregation or Convocation, or in the course of performing his academic and executive functions”
The statement continues: “This provision indicates that the Rector ranks immediately after the Visitor, and is NOT SUBJECT to direct disciplinary action by Council, without proper procedure”
To finally put the lid on the illegal action of the Adingwupu led Governing Council, the letter is emphatic thus:”Furthermore, Part V11, Section 34 (1 and 2) , of the Establishing law, provides that , “if it appears to Council that a member of Council should be removed on grounds of misconduct or inability to perform his functions, the Council shall make a recommendation through the Commissioner to the Visitor”
“This implies”, the letter continues , that even where disciplinary actions are considered against members of the Council, such powers are vested in the Visitor ( Governor) , acting on the recommendation of Council via the Honourable Commissioner”
The letter, in which the Secretary to the State Government , office of the SSG , the Rector , Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku, were copied, directed full compliance with it’s directive “in the interest of institutional integrity , and rule of law.
