Ex-Polytechnic Rector, 4 Others Summoned By EFCC Over N1 Billion Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has summoned Ineyi Douglas Ekpebu, the immediate past rector of the Federal Polytechnic in Ekeowe, Bayelsa State, to appear for interrogation. Four other officials of the
polytechnic were also ordered to report to the EFCC on account of an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1 billion into private hands. The anti-corruption agency issued the summons in a letter dated January 20, 2014 and seen by a correspondent of
SaharaReporters. The summons reference number is CR:3000/EFCC/PHC/EG/TC/ Vol.1/54.
Those invited to appear along with the former rector include the institution’s bursar, James Neminebor, head of audit,
Benson Ojigbare, a personal assistant to the former rector, Zachariah Owutuamor,
and the executive assistant to the rector, Abadani Woyengikuro.
Last week, the polytechnic’s governing board had ordered the former rector to proceed on compulsory leave. He was
immediately replaced by an acting rector.A Nigerian lawyer, Festus Keyamo, had in 2013 petitioned the EFCC on behalf of staff
of the polytechnic over alleged cases of unpaid allowances, salaries and diversion of the sum of N1billion into private accounts.
The letter of summons to the former
rector and his four former associates was signed by David Inyang, the zonal head of the EFCC’s office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to the letter, the invitation was based on the ongoing investigation focused on the institution and the former
rector.
The invited officials of the institution are expected to appear at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office on Thursday, January 30. “They are to appear with [a] list of all contracts awarded and executed from 2009 to date showing contract sum, contract type, date of award, status, contractor, location, award letters, bill of quantities, mode of payment, vouchers, cash book, income, expenditure and cheques,” the letter read in part.