N10 Million Scandal Rocks Nasarawa Polytechnic Over School Fees Diversion and Missing TETFUND Money

Rabiu Omaku

Unidentified syndicates involved in sharp practices in Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia has met their Waterloo as the institution has compelled them to refund the sum of N4m into the school coffers.

Available information revealed that the affected staffs were involved in swindling and diversion of school fees to personal bank accounts instead of school Bank account, the committee on school fees which were given six months to submit its report, is yet to do so two years after.

This medium also learnt that another committee was set up over the alleged diversion of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND’s N6 million by the erstwhile desk officer of TETFUND.

For over two years some staff of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia soiled their hands with public fund, this has continued to generate heat among staff of the institution on why some of the big shots are aiding pilfering and embezzlement and still go free without any penalty given to them.

The Rector of the School, Dr. Silas Gyar in an interview affirmed that the recalcitrant staffs must pay back the money, even if it is going to be through their nose, he further said that the Governing council of the institution has the mandate of the school to penalize the affected staff but not the Rector.

“Things of this nature needed gradual process and we are doing the needful to avoid any litigation on that matter, they can’t escape the refund of money, though they pleaded that the school should be deducting money from their salary monthly but that is not enough”, he added.

“In addition they had since resumed to duty and as I told you the Governing council will determine the fate of the affected persons”.

While commenting on the alleged swindling of N6m by the former TETFUND desk officer, the Rector denied any knowledge of diversion of N6m saying the amount was just N1m.

“This should be a forgotten issue by now because the staff that reported this case has since been expelled from the institution, he was expelled over a grievous crime he committed, he supposed to refund the sponsorship given to him.

While fielding questions on the expiration of accreditation of the institution, Dr.Silas Gyar said arrangements are on top gear to ensure that the institution renews it accreditation.

“I’m aware that our courses had expires since August last year, I met with the Honorable commissioner and he gave me the assurance that very soon the state government would release money for the accreditation ,the school also has set up a committee to that effect”.