The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has reportedly commenced an investigation into the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Oluwatoyin Kadiri, following allegations that the commission’s name and perceived influence were used to obtain money from a lecturer.
The investigation followed a petition submitted by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Federal Polytechnic Offa Chapter, alleging extortion, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, misrepresentation of ICPC authority, corrupt inducement and possible criminal conspiracy.
The petition, dated May 11, 2026, accused the Rector of presenting himself as capable of influencing an earlier ICPC investigation involving a lecturer in the institution’s Department of Marketing, Mutiu Opeyemi Sanusi.
Documents relating to the matter showed that the commission issued an invitation referenced ICPC/SSD/T.B/04/2026, directing Kadiri to appear before investigators at its Abuja headquarters on July 2, 2026.
The letter stated that the commission was investigating an alleged violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and required information from the Rector.
Kadiri was informed of his right to attend the interview with a lawyer or any other person of his choice.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the Rector honoured the invitation, gave a statement to investigators and was released on administrative bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Other persons allegedly connected to the disputed transactions were also said to have been invited for questioning.
The allegations originated from an ICPC investigation involving Sanusi, a chief lecturer in the Department of Marketing, who was accused of demanding bribes from Higher National Diploma students under his supervision.
In a letter dated March 19, 2024, addressed to the Rector and titled “Outcome of Investigation of Petition Against Mr Sanusi M.O.,” the commission said its investigation established alleged violations of Sections 10 and 19 of the ICPC Act.
The provisions relate to the corrupt demand for gratification and the use of an official position to obtain an advantage.
Although the commission stated that the alleged offences were liable to prosecution and carried a possible seven-year prison term, it said it took what it described as a pragmatic decision to refer Sanusi to the polytechnic’s management for disciplinary action.
The institution was consequently directed to implement appropriate disciplinary measures and submit a report on the action taken.
ASUP, however, alleged that Kadiri exploited the lecturer’s predicament by claiming that he had sufficient influence within the ICPC to facilitate an amicable resolution of the matter.
The union alleged that money was demanded from Sanusi through senior officials of the institution on the representation that the funds were required to influence the handling of the ICPC investigation.
According to the petition, approximately ₦1.8 million was allegedly obtained from the lecturer, while a further demand of ₦5 million was subsequently made.
The union maintained that none of the payments formed part of any lawful ICPC procedure and that no official receipt was issued by the commission or the polytechnic.
“Particularly concerning is the use of the name and perceived authority of the ICPC as a tool for private financial gain, which directly undermines the integrity and institutional credibility of your commission,” the petition stated.
A written statement attached to the petition and attributed to the Dean of the School of Business and Management Studies, Salman A.Y., provided details of how part of the money was allegedly raised and delivered.
According to the statement, members of the institution’s management informed officials that resolving the lecturer’s case amicably would involve financial costs.
“At the meeting, we were briefed that a sum of two million naira has so far been expended by the management which has to be paid back by the affected staff,” the Dean reportedly stated.
He said Sanusi sought financial assistance from the local ASUP chapter but was unable to secure the requested support.
The lecturer subsequently obtained a ₦1 million loan from an Islamic cooperative society and added ₦200,000 of his personal funds, bringing his initial contribution to ₦1.2 million.
Additional contributions by lecturers and the School of Business and Management Studies reportedly increased the amount raised to ₦1.6 million.
The Dean alleged that the ₦1 million obtained from the cooperative was converted to United States dollars and handed to the institution’s management through its lawyer, identified as Barrister Faremi.
He claimed that the money was handed over in the presence of the Deputy Rector for Administration for onward delivery to Kadiri.
According to the statement, another request for ₦250,000 was subsequently made by the Deputy Rector for Academics, Dr. M.B. Aliyu, and the money was transferred and acknowledged.
The Dean further alleged that an outstanding balance of ₦350,000 was later transferred through the Deputy Rector for Academics into the Rector’s personal account.
“Following the interaction with the Rector, principal officers and Olofa representatives, we quickly transferred the balance of ₦350,000 to the Rector through Dr Mrs M.B. Aliyu, Deputy Rector Academics,” the statement reportedly said.
It added that evidence of the transfer was acknowledged and forwarded to the Dean.
