The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate contract awards at the Federal Polytechnic, ILARO (FPI), Ogun State.
The student’s body alleged underhand dealing against the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Dr Olusegun Aluko, urging the anti-graft agencies swing into action by investigating the accounts of the institution.
But an official of the Federal Polytechnic debunked any such claims, describing the allegations as lies without any iota of truth in them.
NAPS National President, Comrade Olalere Benedict, in a statement made available to newsmen, on Tuesday, in Abuja, alleged that Aluko has been involved in massive fraud especially “in the award of contracts of projects under his administration.”
“We want to call on the attention of the Federal Government to massive financial mismanagement being perpetrated by the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, ILARO (FPI), Dr Olusegun Aluko, in the institution.
“Aluko has succeeded in enriching himself and his cronies through massive fraud, using some companies owed by him to siphon the institution’s money into his numerous private accounts.
“We will not relent until Aluko stops its toga of arrogance, deceit, monumental fraud and account for every kobo he has embezzled.
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“In an attempt to cover up his tracks, the Rector with the help of the management of the institution and the Ogun State police command framed the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the institution, Adegboye Emmanuel Olatunji, for cultism when Olatunji challenged the Rector and questioned him for financial mismanagement.
“Aluko has also succeeded in embezzling billions of naira through the award of contracts of projects in the institution. He has awarded contracts worth billions of naira to companies owned by him and his cronies.
“When all attempts to intimidate the SUG President from raising some fundamental questions as regards the management of the Institution resources was not successful, the management of the institution framed him for a crime he didn’t commit and suspended him without giving him the opportunity to defend himself in line with the principle of fair hearing.
“We are hereby calling on the institution’s Governing Council to set up a fact-finding committee and investigate activities of the Rector with a view to bringing him to justice.
“If found guilty by the Governing Council, Aluko should be recommended for sack and prosecution by the anti-graft agencies. Any attempt to sweep his case under the carpet shall be met with serious nationwide protest by students.”
The Deputy Registrar (Public Relations), Mr Sola Abiala, could not be reached for comment but an official of the Polytechnic, who did not want to be named said the Rector has an impeccable record of transparency in the management of the Polytechnic Ilaro.
“We are aware that an aggrieved Student Union Government leader who was suspended over alleged involvement in cultism has been trying to fight back but we don’t want to join issues with him because the case is in the Court. He has been going about peddling falsehood against the Rector to weep up public sentiment. No truth in what they are saying,” the official said.
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