Staff of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, have begun receiving their long-awaited 2017/2018 promotion arrears, which were allegedly diverted after being paid in June 2024.
The payments resumed following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which reportedly led to the arrest and detention of the Managing Director of Sincere Microfinance Bank over the alleged diversion of the funds.
The development has renewed allegations against the Rector of the institution, Engr. Kamoru Oluwatoyin Kadiri, who has consistently denied claims by staff unions that he was involved in diverting the money.
Multiple sources at the polytechnic told SaharaReporters that payments to affected staff members commenced on Friday after the EFCC summoned officials of the microfinance banks involved in handling the promotion arrears. The anti-graft agency also reportedly detained the Managing Director of Sincere Microfinance Bank as part of its investigation.
According to the sources, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation disbursed the promotion arrears to beneficiaries in June 2024 through various microfinance banks used by the staff.
However, the sources alleged that instead of allowing the funds to reach the beneficiaries, the Rector directed the banks to divert the money into another account.
“The Office of the Accountant General paid promotion arrears for staff in June 2024. The payments were made through the microfinance banks used by the staff,” one source told SaharaReporters.
“However, the Rector wrote to the microfinance banks, directing them to divert the funds into a particular account, and the money was subsequently spent.
“We have been challenging this action because staff entitlements should not be diverted. As a result, we petitioned both the relevant ministry and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
The source disclosed that following petitions submitted to the anti-graft agency, the EFCC invited the heads of all the microfinance banks linked to the payments.
“The EFCC invited the heads of the microfinance banks involved in the matter. Following the investigation, the banks began paying the affected staff members on Friday. This was money that had originally been paid to them by the Office of the Accountant General in June 2024,” a source said.
Questioning the Rector’s previous denial, the source added: “Last year, the Rector denied that the funds had been diverted. If the funds were not diverted, then why are they now being repaid?”
The source further confirmed that although officials of several microfinance banks were invited by the EFCC, only the Managing Director of Sincere Microfinance Bank was arrested.
“Regarding arrests, the EFCC invited all the microfinance banks involved in the matter, but only the Managing Director of Sincere Microfinance Bank was arrested,” the source said.
“I understand that efforts were being made to secure his bail on Friday. However, he was arrested on Wednesday.
“The arrest was carried out by the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate.
“The allegation is that the funds paid by the Office of the Accountant General in June 2024 were diverted through the microfinance banks.”
Meanwhile, a document dated May 15, 2025, obtained by SaharaReporters, showed that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) had formally written to the Representatives of Management Committee, Deans and Directors regarding the diverted 2017/2018 promotion arrears.
“Sequel to your request for clarification on the diverted 2017/2018 arrears by the Rector/management since 2024,” it read.
According to the union, records showed that in 2017, a total of N12,817,107.46 was paid to microfinance banks as follows: Citizens Microfinance Bank – N226,727.3, Ibolo Microfinance Bank – N3,901,048.86, Iyeru Okin Microfinance Bank -N1,726,530.83, Ours Microfinance Bank -N421,126.86, Sincere Microfinance Bank – N4,927,600.19, Stockcorp Microfinance Bank – N1,614,073.42.
The union further stated that in 2018, a total of N23,466,255.56 was paid as promotion arrears to commercial and microfinance banks, with N10,702,157 reportedly paid to microfinance banks, including: Ibolo Microfinance Bank – N4,178,772.21, Iyeru Okin Microfinance Bank – N2,435,894.95.
The document formed part of ASUP’s efforts to establish what happened to the promotion arrears allegedly withheld from staff.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of ASUP, Yemi Alabi, confirmed that affected staff had begun receiving payments, describing the development as a vindication of the union’s long-standing allegations against the management.
“It is with great delight that we further showcase the sincerity/victory of our struggles,” Alabi said.
“If you would recall, we have vehemently accused the management of diverting staff promotion arrears and the Rector/management and even Union(s) have denied it.
“Today, after we advanced petition to the EFCC a few weeks ago, we have been vindicated; the arrears that was diverted have suddenly resurfaced and beneficiaries of the diverted promotion arrears have started receiving their entitlement.”
According to him, although the payment represents a major victory, the union is dissatisfied because of the significant loss in value suffered by staff after waiting for over a year.
“This victory does not only further solidify our need for a credible Union but it also makes it clear that the current management is without honor,” Alabi said.
“We are happy that these arrears have been paid but we are not satisfied.
“Our dissatisfaction is based on the illegality/substantially diminished value of these monies and we are consequently in request of a 30% penalty for inflation and a further 20% as deterrence penalty from the management for their misconduct.
“Management should take note of this request and do the needful within seven days else we will agitate.”
Alabi added that members of other unions had equally benefited from the struggle initiated by ASUP.
“It should be noted that other unions are beneficiaries of our struggle and we are appealing that they come back to the fold and let us glory together,” he said.
“I congratulate all beneficiaries and assure you of the commitment of the Union always.”
The latest development has also revived attention on a video recorded in 2025 in which Rector Kadiri strongly denied allegations that any staff promotion arrears had been diverted.
In the video obtained by SaharaReporters, the Rector challenged staff members who believed funds had been diverted to report him to the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), or the courts.
Addressing members of staff during a meeting, he said: “Please, Mr. Solution, I want to say it in front of national officers. That your notion that money was diverted… please go and submit it at EFCC office.
“Go and submit the petition at EFCC office or ICPC office. Honestly, I have said it many times already. No kobo under my watch was diverted but if you are not satisfied… Please go to court, let us pursue it. No kobo. I don’t want to take your time, but if you are not satisfied or given wrong information, tomorrow go and submit the petition. Thank you.”
The Rector did not, however, explain at the time where the promotion arrears paid by the Office of the Accountant General had gone, despite repeatedly insisting that no diversion occurred.
(SaharaReporters)