From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
A formal petition has been submitted to the Bauchi State Government alleging widespread maladministration, corruption, abuse of office, and financial recklessness against the Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Dr. Hashimu Sabo Bello, and the institution’s Governing Council.
The petition, submitted on Tuesday and addressed to Governor Bala Mohammed, was written by human rights activist, Alkassim Muhammad Esq., on behalf of three senior academics and administrators; Dr. Abdulmajid Jamal Abubakar, former Deputy Rector and Director of Quality Assurance; Dr. Alhaji Adamu Sa’idu, former Rector; and Dr. Musa Kallamu Hassan, former General Manager of ATAP Consultancy Ltd.
The petition accuses Dr. Bello of multiple infractions, including the alleged sale of official vehicles, a Lexus 300 Jeep and a Hilux, and their replacement with a Toyota Corolla without proper authorisation and allegedly beyond his approval limit.
He is also accused of awarding and conducting the bidding process for an ICT Support Programme contract worth N70 million on November 11, 2024, without involving the Governing Council.
Other allegations include exceeding his spending limits, mismanaging Polytechnic funds between July and November 2024, illegally chairing ATAP Consult while excluding the Council’s representative, and making unauthorised withdrawals from consultancy funds.
The petitioners further allege that over N130 million generated by a registration and verification committee was spent without proper approval or accountability while he served in an overseeing capacity.
The petition also accuses the Governing Council of negligence and failure to discharge its statutory responsibilities under the Polytechnic’s enabling law (CAP 113).
Among the claims are the Council’s alleged failure to investigate complaints of administrative misconduct against the Rector and Registrar, Lawal Sambo, since August 2025, as well as its alleged inaction over claims of sexual harassment involving a close associate of the Rector.
The Council was also accused of allowing some Heads of Departments and Directors to serve simultaneously at ATAP while on sabbatical at other institutions, allegedly in violation of academic protocols. The petitioners further claimed that some Council members lack the academic qualifications required by law to effectively manage the institution.
They alleged that the Council failed to grant complainants a fair hearing and neglected its oversight responsibilities.
Responding to the allegations, the Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Dr. Hashimu Sabo Bello, dismissed the petition as false and described it as an attempt at character assassination by some officials who were sanctioned under the institution’s rules.
He maintained that since assuming office, he has adhered strictly to due process and transparent leadership.
The Rector said he inherited numerous challenges, including outstanding debts exceeding N80 million owed to federal and state tax authorities, lapsed accreditations, and a backlog of certificates for NCE graduates spanning 12 years.
He stated that his administration resolved the certificate issues and secured accreditation for programmes despite limited resources.
He also alleged that some of his accusers had previously faced disciplinary action, including demotion for financial infractions and falsification of records. According to him, some cases involving former officials are under investigation by anti-corruption agencies.
Dr. Bello explained that the drop in student enrollment was a result of enforcing stricter admission processes in line with JAMB requirements, which reduced irregular admissions and, consequently, revenue.
He further stated that his administration introduced digital accreditation processes and new academic programmes, including Chemical Engineering, as part of efforts to reposition the institution.
The Rector emphasised that all disciplinary actions taken by the institution followed due process and were approved by the Governing Council.
“Our focus remains on sanitising the system, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that the institution operates in line with its mandate. We will continue to act transparently and fairly in the overall interest of the Polytechnic,” he stated.
He added that “I met a Consultancy Unit that had been bastardised. Even the General Manager, Dr. Musa Kallamu Hassan, had previously been sanctioned by the Governing Council of the Polytechnic and was demoted by two levels.”
He added that there were serious allegations bordering on financial recklessness against the former Rector.
“There was an issue involving the withdrawal of N10 million, including administrative charges. The matter is currently with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following findings by auditors from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation.”
“Similarly, the former Rector withdrew over N5 million in the name of a fictitious insurance company, among other questionable transactions. An audit report also revealed that during his tenure, he frequently travelled by domestic flights from Bauchi to Abuja, Abuja to Kano, and back without any evidence of proper accounting for the funds spent on those trips.”
Dr. Bello added that during the former Rector’s tenure, three official letters were issued which two were consistent with each other, while one contradicted the others, saying that the matter was taken to court.
He also said the State Government observed that such contradictions reflected serious administrative lapses. Consequently, they were suspended, and “I was directed, as the most senior Dean at the time, to take over the leadership of the institution.”
“After the expiration of six months, I wrote to the government informing them of the status of those on suspension. Subsequently, His Excellency the Governor directed that I be confirmed as the substantive Rector.”
“However, since the day I assumed office, the former Rector has continued to challenge my leadership. Within my first week, he petitioned the Ministry of Education, at a time when there was no Ministry of Higher Education, alleging that I had begun granting approvals. I questioned why I should not grant approvals as the acting Rector, while he remained under suspension. That marked the beginning of numerous petitions more than ten filed against me,” he revealed.
“The former Rector and the former General Manager have consistently written petitions against me.
“In one instance, we discovered that the General Manager travelled for Hajj without my consent as the sitting Rector. Management asked him to explain. He produced a letter claiming he had obtained approval before I assumed office.
“However, the letter was found to be fake. He wrongly quoted another staff member’s file number. When we contacted the Registrar who allegedly signed the letter, admitted that they met him at home and persuaded her to write it.”
“The former Registrar subsequently tendered an apology to the Polytechnic. From all indications, the former General Manager was involved in falsification of records. There were also several financial improprieties linked to the Consultancy Unit during his tenure, all of which are documented. Management recommended disciplinary action, and the Governing Council demoted him by two levels.”
Dr. Bello continued, “Despite this, he proceeded to take the Polytechnic to court. There are also personal petitions he filed against me. Another individual, Dr. Jamal Abubakar, was recently found wanting due to certain acts of misconduct.”
“Regarding another staff member, allegations were raised by our security unit that some institutional properties were removed without authorisation. A committee was set up, findings were presented to management, and recommendations were forwarded to the Governing Council. The Council directed that restitution be made accordingly. All actions taken were strictly in line with established procedures.”
He assured that the Polytechnic will continue to rely on its rules and institutional regulations. “Any staff member who violates institutional norms will be treated in accordance with the rules, with a fair hearing guaranteed.”
“We are determined to restore discipline and order in this institution. Recently, two lecturers were caught engaging in examination malpractice by writing examinations on behalf of students. The Governing Council took appropriate action.
“This reflects the level of indiscipline we inherited and our firm resolve to address it decisively.”
