The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Kamoru Oluwatoyin Kadiri, over allegations that he used the name and perceived influence of the anti-corruption agency to allegedly extort money from a lecturer.
The investigation followed a petition by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Offa Chapter, which accused the Rector of allegedly portraying payments as necessary to influence the outcome of an ICPC investigation.
The petition, dated May 11, 2026, accused the Rector of alleged extortion through abuse of official position, obtaining money by false pretence, abuse of public office, impersonation or misrepresentation of ICPC authority, participation in a corrupt inducement scheme and possible criminal conspiracy.
“It is our instruction that the above conduct discloses: Extortion under colour of office; obtaining by false pretence; abuse of public office; impersonation/misrepresentation of ICPC authority; corrupt inducement scheme; and possible criminal conspiracy,” the petition stated.
The Union also expressed concern over the alleged use of the ICPC’s name and perceived authority for private financial gain, saying such conduct could undermine the integrity and credibility of the anti-corruption agency.
Documents obtained in connection with the case show that the ICPC had already begun taking steps in the matter.
In an official invitation referenced ICPC/SSD/T.B/04/2026, the Commission directed Kadiri to appear before investigators at its headquarters in Abuja on July 2, 2026.
The letter stated that the Commission was investigating an alleged violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and required information from the Rector.
Kadiri was asked to appear at 10:00 a.m. on July 2, 2026, and was informed that he could attend with a lawyer or any other person of his choice.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the Rector honoured the invitation, made a statement before investigators and was later released on administrative bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Several other people allegedly connected to the transactions have also reportedly been invited by the Commission.
The allegations reportedly stem from an incident in April 2023, when a lecturer in the Department of Marketing, identified as Mr. M.O. Sanusi, was invited by the ICPC over allegations involving a project student.
According to the ASUP petition, the investigation ultimately did not result in an indictment.
However, an ICPC letter dated March 19, 2024, addressed to the Rector and titled “Outcome of Investigation of Petition against Mr. Sanusi M.O,” stated that the lecturer had been investigated over allegations of corruptly demanding bribes from HND students under his supervision.
The Commission said the investigation established violations of Sections 10 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
According to the ICPC, the offences were liable to prosecution and punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment. However, after considering the circumstances of the case, the Commission referred Sanusi to the management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa for disciplinary action.
The letter, signed by Demola Bakare, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Osun State, on behalf of the Honourable Chairman, directed the institution to implement the recommendation and submit a report on the action taken.
ASUP alleged that the Rector subsequently exploited the situation by claiming to have influence within the ICPC and presenting himself as an intermediary who could resolve the matter.
The Union alleged that, through intermediaries including senior management officials, the Rector demanded and collected ₦1.8 million from the lecturer, followed by further financial demands, including an alleged request for an additional ₦5 million.
ASUP maintained that the alleged payments were not part of any official ICPC process and were not receipted through any institutional procedure.
The petition urged the Commission to investigate everyone connected with the alleged scheme, establish whether any ICPC official was directly or indirectly involved, prosecute anyone found culpable and protect the integrity of the anti-corruption agency from misuse.
A signed statement by the Dean of the School of Business and Management Studies, Salman A.Y., was attached to the petition. The statement detailed how the money was allegedly sourced and delivered.
According to the statement, following Sanusi’s invitation by the ICPC, the institution’s management allegedly decided to pursue what it described as an “amicable settlement”.
The Dean stated that the proposed settlement involved financial expenses, adding that management had allegedly spent ₦2 million, which was to be reimbursed by the affected staff member.
After ASUP reportedly declined a request to provide financial assistance, the lecturer allegedly obtained a ₦1 million loan from an Islamic cooperative society and added ₦200,000 of his own money, bringing his contribution to ₦1.2 million.
Contributions from other lecturers and the School of Business and Management Studies allegedly increased the total amount to ₦1.6 million.
The Dean further gave an account of how the money was allegedly delivered.
According to his statement, the ₦1 million borrowed from the Islamic cooperative was converted to dollars and handed over to the institution’s management through the school lawyer, Barrister Faremi, in the presence of the Deputy Rector, Administration, for onward delivery to the Rector.
The statement alleged that after the initial payment of ₦1 million, the Deputy Rector, Academic, Dr. (Mrs) M.B. Aliyu, requested an additional ₦250,000, which was allegedly transferred and acknowledged.
The Dean further alleged that after contributors raised the remaining balance, ₦350,000 was transferred through Dr. Aliyu to the Rector’s personal account.
Information available to reporters indicates that the ICPC acknowledged receipt of the petition and assigned the matter to one of its investigative units.
Sources within the anti-corruption agency said allegations involving the misuse of the ICPC’s name were being treated seriously because of their potential to undermine public confidence in the institution.
Investigators are reportedly examining documentary evidence, written statements, payment records and other materials submitted by the petitioners to determine whether criminal offences were committed.
In its petition, ASUP asked the ICPC to launch a full criminal investigation, invite and interrogate everyone connected to the alleged extortion scheme, determine whether any ICPC officer was directly or indirectly involved and prosecute any person against whom a prima facie case is established.
The Union concluded that the allegations were particularly serious because they involved not only alleged corruption but also the alleged use of the name of an anti-corruption agency to facilitate extortion.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the ICPC spokesperson, John Okor Odey, were unsuccessful as he had not responded to calls at the time of filing the report.
