BY CHRIS OCHAYI
ABUJA — Federal Government has sent the Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic, Danjuma Isah, on compulsory leave, pending the outcome of the investigations panel set up to unravel the allegations of financial impropriety and fragrant disobedience of the laws guiding the institution levelled against him.

To this end, an 8-man visitation panel, led by the former Vice Chancellor of University of Uyo, Essien Akaneren, had been inaugurated to probe the alleged scam brought against the Rector by staff unions in the institution, who have already embarked on strike to protest the rector’s high handedness.

The staff unions had previously passed a vote of no confidence on council members of the Polytechnic, alleging injustice, selective and discriminative tendencies on the part of the management of the institution.

Education Minister, Ruqayyatu Rufa’i while inaugurating the visitations panel to the institution last week in Abuja, had earlier intervened by dispatching the Director for Tertiary Education Jemila Suara to find out the true position of things.

In addition to some of the terms of reference the minister handed over to the team, are amongst others to carry out full-scale investigation into alleged financial impropriety of the institution within two weeks and make further recommendations to government.

Prof. Rufa’i said, “the panel’s task is very significant, therefore it is expected to make concrete recommendations to the government, which will involve looking into the financial management of the institution over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations.

“Others would involve the application of funds, particularly the special grants and loans meant for specific projects in order to determine the status of such projects and their relevance.

“The panel members are also expected to examine the academic programmes, policies and practices as well as the total academic and physical development, performance and direction of the institution and possibly advise as to whether the desired targets have been met.

“They would also determine the relationship between the institution and various statutory bodies it interacts with according to its law for purposes of supervision, planning, finance and discipline.”