Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State and the institution’s Bursar, are expected to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday or risk arrest warrant
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has threatened to invoke its powers to compel the arrest of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Engr. Dr. Sani Man Yahaya, and the institution’s Bursar, Aishat Shade Adebayo, over their repeated failure to honour invitations to answer questions on unresolved audit queries and alleged financial irregularities.
The committee warned that it would take the action if the two officials and other concerned management staff failed to appear before it on Monday, October 19, 2026, to explain issues relating to the institution’s financial management, procurement processes and execution of projects.
Among the issues under investigation is an expenditure of ₦882.5 million on overhead costs in 2023, against an approved budget of ₦110.2 million, resulting in an excess expenditure of approximately ₦772 million.
The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, disclosed the decision on Friday when lawmakers adopted the report of a technical committee that reviewed submissions by six tertiary institutions in response to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
The committee’s action followed its consideration of outstanding issues arising from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede’s 2021 Audit Report, findings from its South-West oversight exercise and petitions received against the institution’s management.
The lawmakers expressed displeasure over the repeated failure of the Rector and Bursar to appear before the committee despite several invitations, insisting that the officials must account for the outstanding audit queries and provide documents required for the ongoing investigation.
The committee said it would invoke the relevant powers of the House to compel their attendance if they failed to appear on the scheduled date.
Audit Queries, Late Financial Reports
The committee identified three outstanding queries against the institution in the 2021 Audit Report.
They relate to an unretired cash advance, the engagement of an external solicitor without the approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and foreign trips undertaken without evidence of approval from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over the late submission of the institution’s audited accounts for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 financial years, describing the delay as contrary to existing regulations and statutory requirements.
During its south-west oversight exercise, the committee further identified discrepancies between the institution’s approved budget and actual expenditure, alongside questions about the preparation of its personnel budget.
For personnel expenditure in 2023, the institution had an approved budget of ₦2.862 billion but recorded actual expenditure of ₦2.593 billion, leaving a difference of approximately ₦268.5 million.
The committee questioned the adequacy of the due diligence conducted in preparing the institution’s budget estimates, given the variance between the approved allocation and actual spending.
It also flagged the absence of evidence that the institution had remitted the mandatory one per cent of personnel emoluments to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between 2023 and 2025.
Alarm Over Lecture Theatre Construction
The committee expressed further concern over the quality of projects executed at the institution, saying an inspection visit revealed work that appeared inconsistent with the amounts reportedly paid to contractors.
During a physical inspection of an ongoing lecture theatre construction project at the institution’s permanent site, the lawmakers observed what they described as substandard construction work.
According to the committee’s findings, the concrete flooring leading to the lecture theatre’s entrance was poorly executed and reportedly so weak that it could be broken with hands and feet.
The observation raised questions about the quality of materials used, the standard of construction and whether the work delivered was commensurate with the funds paid to the contractor.
Following the inspection, the institution was directed to submit the project’s Bill of Quantities, procurement records and details of the contractor handling the project.
However, the committee said the requested documents had not been made available for examination.
The lawmakers also complained that the institution had failed to produce procurement records relating to capital expenditure and projects funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), despite repeated requests.
The committee described the non-production of the documents as an impediment to its legislative oversight responsibilities and efforts to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
It also disclosed that it had received petitions alleging various financial irregularities against the institution’s management, which would be considered alongside the relevant audit findings and other available records.
₦20.5m Pension Contributions Under Scrutiny
The committee also raised concerns over ₦20.5 million reportedly yet to be credited to the Retirement Savings Accounts of some employees of the institution by Stanbic IBTC Pension and Access Pension.
According to the findings, the delay was attributed to the institution’s failure to provide accurate employee information, including Retirement Savings Account Personal Identification Numbers, to the pension fund administrators.
The committee warned that the delay could deprive affected employees of interest and other investment returns that might have accrued to their retirement savings if the funds had been credited promptly.
It said the institution’s management would be required to provide explanations and relevant documentation to establish the circumstances surrounding the outstanding pension-related payments.
PAC Vows to Enforce Accountability
Salam reiterated the committee’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and compliance with financial regulations in the management of public funds.
He stressed that public institutions must account for their expenditure, produce requested records and respond to audit queries raised by the appropriate authorities.
The committee warned that repeated failure by public officials to honour invitations, provide relevant documents or satisfactorily address issues raised during legislative investigations would not be treated lightly.
It therefore maintained that the House’s relevant powers would be invoked to compel the attendance of the Rector, Bursar and other concerned officials if they failed to appear on Monday.
The committee said the outstanding audit queries, alleged procurement irregularities and petitions against the institution’s management would remain under examination as part of its efforts to ensure accountability in the use of public resources.
