Delta State Maritime Polytechnic Management Faces ₦774m Misappropriation Allegations

The management of the Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, has been accused of large-scale financial misappropriation, gross misconduct, and abuse of office amounting to more than ₦774 million, sparking calls for a government-led probe.

The allegations were contained in a press statement issued on September 10, 2025, by Engr. Solomon Ologe, a Principal Lecturer at the institution and a member of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

According to Ologe, who claimed to have filed multiple petitions since 2024 with oversight bodies, the misappropriated funds allegedly involve key officials of the Polytechnic, including:

. Rector– Prof. James Okoro
. Registrar– Mr. Churchill Ufuoma Ighovojah
. Bursar – Mr. Ogodobiri Jonatus
Head of Salary Unit– Mrs. Dora Okpegho
. ASUP Chapter Chairman – Dr. Bayai Sunny
. Senior Lecturer – Mr. Akporer Lucky Oghenerovwe

He alleged that:

* ₦374 million meant for disparity allowance arrears for academic staff was diverted, leaving many lecturers underpaid.
* ₦400 million in accreditation grants was misused without tangible improvements to infrastructure or academic programs.
* ₦9.3 million was routed through ASUP accounts into private accounts.
* ₦12.5 million in convocation funds remain unaccounted for.
* Student fees were diverted into personal accounts.
* Irregular contracts worth millions were awarded to relatives of management staff, including companies linked to the Rector’s wife and a junior staff member related to the Bursar.
* 20% illegal deductions were made from peculiar allowances due to academic staff.
* Statutory deductions withheld from staff salaries in 2025 were allegedly not remitted.

Ologe accused the Polytechnic’s Governing Council of attempting to cover up the alleged fraud through what he described as a “whitewashed” disciplinary committee report. He also alleged that ASUP leadership in the South-South zone has remained silent despite evidence of union accounts being used to launder public funds.

He further claimed that he has faced intimidation, victimisation, and threats to his life, noting that a formal petition filed with the Nigeria Police, Zone 5 Command in Benin City, in April 2025, has yet to yield action.

When contacted, the Rector, Prof. James Okoro, strongly denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and the handiwork of detractors.

Similarly, the Registrar, Mr. Churchill Ighovojah, and the Head of Salary Unit, Mrs. Dora Okpegho, dismissed the claims, alleging that Ologe currently on study leave abroad fabricated the allegations because he was asked to return to duty following the expiration of his leave.

While the Polytechnic is yet to issue an official statement, Ologe called on the Delta State Government, led by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as anti-corruption agencies, to constitute an independent panel of inquiry to probe the allegations.

He stressed that decisive action was needed to protect the institution from corrupt practices capable of undermining the interests of the state and the public.