FG investigates rift between Ekiti Poly Rector, workers

A fact-finding/reconciliation committee has been set up by the Federal Government to investigate the crisis between staff and management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.

The workers unions; the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), had in January accused the Rector, Dr Mrs Theresa Akande, of embezzling N350 Million cooperative funds and illegal pension deductions from contract workers’ benefits.

Akande was also accused of highhandedness, corruption, double-standard and gross abuse of office.

Even though the rector denied all the allegations, the workers insisted on her removal from office.

The committee led by Olu Nipede, visited the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Etop James.

READ: FEDPOLYADO workers beg FG to sack, investigate 'corrupt' rector

Nipede said the committee’s primary aim is to restore peace at the institution.

Efforts to find solution to this crisis in the past through interventions from various groups did not yield results," Nipede said.

"The terms of reference will require interfacing with the rector and the unions and we shall file our reports to the Ministry of Education for necessary action.”

But SAANIP and ASUP’s Chairmen, Dr Ayeni Oluwole and Tunji Owoeye, in a joint press conference urged the panel to maintain neutrality.

They said an eight-page memorandum attached with 60 documents has been presented to the panel to substantiate their allegations.