Delta Government Slams Ogwashi-Uku Poly Governing Council Over Illegal Suspension of Rector ~ Truth Reporters

By Andy Emephia

 

Citing a "procedural breach" in the decision by the Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, to suspend the institution’s Rector, Builder Professor Emmanuel Achuenu, the Delta State Government has ordered the Council to halt any further action on the purported suspension and to immediately reinstate the Rector, pending full compliance with due process.

 

The state government faulted the Governing Council for violating Chapter 6, Subsection 6.5.1 of the Terms and Conditions of Service for Staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, which outlines the steps to be followed when the Council believes a principal officer has committed misconduct. 

According to the government, there is no evidence through the Ministry of Higher Education that a written query was issued to the Rector or that a properly constituted investigative committee was set up.

 

As required by law, such a committee should comprise three members of the Council, one representative of the Academic Board, and one representative of the Congregation both not lower in rank than the officer concerned (in this case, the Rector).

 

In an official letter addressed to the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Paul Adingwupu, with reference number MHE/DSPG//Conf/2, dated 7th July 2025 and signed by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, the government stated that the Council’s action "exceeds the limits of its disciplinary powers," noting that no directive was sought or obtained from the Visitor (Governor), 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 must comply with relevant provisions of the law establishing the Polytechnic, as well as the applicable Terms and Conditions of Service."

 

The letter further draws the Council’s attention to Part IV, 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."

 

This provision, the Ministry explained, clearly places the Rector immediately after the Visitor in institutional hierarchy, and therefore not subject to direct disciplinary action by the Council without following proper procedures.

 

To definitively address what it called the “illegal action” of the Adingwupu-led Council, the letter further invoked Part VII, Section 34 (1 & 2) of the establishing law, which 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."

 

The letter concluded: "This implies that even where disciplinary actions are considered against members of Council, such powers are vested in the Visitor (Governor), acting on the recommendation of Council via the Honourable Commissioner."

 

The letter, which was copied to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Rector, and other relevant offices, directed full compliance with the directive "in the interest of institutional integrity and the rule of law."