In a dramatic twist to the leadership crisis rocking Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, the Delta State Ministry of Higher Education has issued a damning rebuke to the institution’s Governing Council, declaring the recent suspension of the Rector, Bldr. Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, as procedurally flawed and legally untenable.
The who handed down the directive in a strongly worded letter dated 7th July, 2025, signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, the Ministry unequivocally ordered the immediate reinstatement of the embattled Rector, citing gross violation of due process and statutory provisions governing disciplinary procedures in the institution.
The Ministry’s directive came in response to an undated communication from the Polytechnic’s Governing Council, notifying the Commissioner of its decision to suspend the Rector for six months over alleged financial impropriety and gross misconduct.
However, the Ministry pointedly flagged the suspension as a procedural breach, stressing that disciplinary actions involving principal officers must strictly follow legal provisions and the institution’s Terms and Conditions of Service.
Citing Part IV, Section 17(1) of the law establishing the Polytechnic, the Ministry emphasized that only the Visitor (Governor) and the Rector hold precedence over the Council Chair, especially in academic and executive matters.
Thus, the Council, it insisted, lacks the unilateral authority to suspend the Rector without first securing the necessary recommendation through the Honourable Commissioner to the Visitor.
The letter further highlighted that Chapter 6, subsection 6.5.1 of the institution’s Terms of Service outlines the mandatory procedure for disciplining a principal officer. These steps include:
Issuing a formal written query to the officer;
Setting up a properly constituted investigative panel comprising three Council members, a representative of the Academic Board, and a Congregation member not lower in rank than the officer involved.
The Ministry said there was no evidence that such a panel was ever constituted or that any query was issued to the Rector.
It also noted with concern that no directive or approval was sought from the Visitor through the Ministry, further compounding the illegality of the action.
Quoting Part VII, Section 34(1 & 2) of the Establishment Law, the Ministry reminded the Council that even in cases involving Council members, any recommendation for removal or disciplinary action must go through the Commissioner to the Visitor.
“Such action exceeds the limit of Council’s disciplinary powers,” the Ministry warned, adding that the current suspension cannot stand in law without fulfilling all stipulated procedures.
In view of these legal oversights, the Ministry directed the Governing Council to immediately stay all actions on the purported suspension and reinstate the Rector without delay.
It further instructed that any further action must follow due process and statutory compliance should misconduct be established through appropriate investigative means.
The Ministry concluded by urging full compliance in the interest of institutional integrity, administrative justice, and the rule of law.
This latest development casts a shadow on the decision-making processes within the Governing Council and has raised questions about internal governance standards at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
Copies of the letter were also sent to:
The Secretary to the State Government
The Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku
