Staff of the Federal Polytechnic Offa in Kwara State have begun receiving their long-awaited 2017/2018 promotion arrears following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged diversion of the funds.
The payments resumed after the anti-graft agency investigated complaints over the delayed entitlements and invited officials of several microfinance banks involved in processing the payments. During the probe, the Managing Director of Sincere Microfinance Bank was arrested over his alleged involvement in the diversion of the funds.
According to reports, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had disbursed the promotion arrears to staff through various microfinance banks in June 2024. However, allegations later surfaced that the funds were diverted before reaching the intended beneficiaries.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic Offa chapter, said affected staff members have now started receiving their outstanding entitlements. The union described the development as a major breakthrough after months of petitions and demands for accountability.
Despite welcoming the payments, ASUP expressed dissatisfaction over the delay, arguing that inflation had significantly reduced the value of the arrears. The union has called on the institution’s management to compensate affected workers for the financial losses caused by the prolonged delay.
The Rector of the institution, Engr. Kamoru Oluwatoyin Kadiri, has consistently denied allegations of diverting staff promotion arrears, maintaining that no funds were misappropriated under his administration.
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The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest, while investigations into the alleged diversion of the promotion arrears are ongoing.
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