Abuja, NIGERIA — In what is rapidly evolving into a tale of manipulation, power play, and institutional crisis, Time Africa investigation has uncovered troubling inconsistencies surrounding the actions of Pastor Hon Paul Adingwupu, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. At the center of the storm: a claim that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, directed an immediate takeover of a probe into an alleged certificate racketeering scheme at the institution — a directive that now appears to have never existed.
On Monday, February 17, 2025, Chairman Adingwupu had summoned an emergency Council meeting, citing an urgent mandate from the Governor himself. According to Adingwupu, Governor Oborevwori had instructed him directly to spearhead an internal investigation into the Polytechnic following a viral Facebook post by journalist Rufai Oseni, which referenced an undercover exposé by freelancer Martin White-Ufuah. Ufuah claimed to have purchased a National Diploma certificate from the institution under false pretenses, providing both documentation and video evidence.
But multiple sources within the Delta State Ministry of Higher Education and inside Government House have confirmed to Time Africa that no such directive was issued by the Governor to the Council Chairman.
“There was no formal or informal communication from the Governor’s office authorizing Pastor Adingwupu to launch an investigation or take administrative actions,” a senior official in the Ministry said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Contrary to Adingwupu’s claims, a panel constituted by the Polytechnic’s management had already convened on February 15, 2025 — two days before the emergency Council meeting. The internal administrative panel was tasked with investigating the allegations raised by Ufuah. Its findings, obtained by Time Africa, paint a very different picture: the case involved a clear instance of document forgery, not a widespread certificate racket.
The report, which included forensic analysis of the documents and video evidence, concluded that the materials presented by Ufuah did not match the Polytechnic’s official records. It cited inconsistencies such as mismatched fonts, incorrect institutional titles, fake matriculation numbers, and forged signatures.
“The video appears staged. There is no systemic issue indicated,” the report concluded, calling instead for a formal rebuttal and legal action against those implicated in the forgery. The panel further emphasized the need for due process in handling such sensitive matters.
However, rather than acting on the panel’s report, Adingwupu unilaterally suspended the panel’s findings and took over the matter under the pretext of gubernatorial orders — an action that sources say was entirely self-directed and contrary to the Delta State Polytechnic Law of 2002.
At the emergency Council meeting, the Registrar, Dr. Jude Okocha; Deputy Registrar, Mr. N.D. Nwanne; and Charles Nduka — the individual shown in Ufuah’s video — were all summarily suspended without the opportunity to defend themselves.
Eyewitnesses to the meeting allege that efforts by the institution’s leadership and the Functioning Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Mrs. Bridget Odobor, to enforce statutory procedure were ignored or overruled by the Chairman.
Adingwupu then appointed Mrs. Christiana Edoge as Acting Registrar, directing her to issue official suspension letters — a move that critics argue consolidated power in the Chairman’s office and bypassed standard institutional governance protocols.
A confidential memo reviewed by Time Africa suggests this is not an isolated incident. The memo points to a sustained effort, since the Council’s inauguration, to systematically sideline key administrators — including the Rector, Registrar, and Bursar — in what some insiders describe as an orchestrated attempt to reshape the Polytechnic’s leadership to suit undisclosed private interests.
“Perhaps more damning are additional allegations by Adingwupu against the Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu — claims that, if proven false, could constitute institutional blackmail and a gross abuse of office.”
Now, pressure is mounting on the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, to intervene.
“The Council acted with haste, and in a manner that violates both institutional law and the principles of natural justice,” an administrative source told Time Africa. “If this is allowed to stand, it exposes the institution to lawsuits and long-term reputational damage.”
The recommendation is clear: suspend the Council’s overreach, restore due process, and ensure that any credible investigation into certificate fraud is handled under neutral, law-abiding oversight — not personal ambition.
As tensions continue to rise at Ogwashi-Uku, the Polytechnic now finds itself at a critical crossroads. The integrity of its certificates, the transparency of its leadership, and the image of the Governor’s administration all hang in the balance.
If confirmed, Pastor Paul Adingwupu’s fabrication of a Governor’s directive could carry serious legal and political ramifications — calling into question his fitness to chair the Governing Council of a public academic institution.
Police Report exonerate Suspended Registrar, Deputy Registrar and the institution management
The Nigeria Police Force has officially exonerated the Registrar of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Dr. Jude Okocha; the Deputy Registrar, Mr. N.D. Nwanne; and other members of the institution’s management from involvement in the certificate racketeering scheme that recently drew public attention.
This conclusion was contained in a detailed investigation report issued by the Delta State Police Command following a petition dated February 21, 2025, from the Polytechnic’s Deputy Rector, Dr. Anho Erere Joy. The petition followed a viral Facebook video published by Arise TV presenter, Oseni Rufai, which alleged the existence of a certificate-forging syndicate within the institution.
The investigation found that the alleged racketeering was orchestrated by a non-academic staff member, Mr. Nduka Charles, acting independently and without the knowledge or involvement of the institution’s management.
According to the police report, Charles fraudulently issued a forged Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate to a student, Mr. Azibiantu Chidera Samuel, in exchange for N75,000. While Chidera’s National Diploma (ND) certificate was confirmed as authentic, the HND certificate was fabricated and contained a falsified Grade Point Average (GPA). Charles, during interrogation, confessed to forging the certificate and using scanned signatures and counterfeit institutional materials to make it appear legitimate.
Police also arrested another suspect, Mr. Temienor Ogaga Agomataye, a former staff member previously dismissed in 2018 for academic fraud. He was found to have a past connection with Charles in an earlier certificate forgery case. Both suspects are expected to face charges in court under multiple sections of the Criminal Code, including conspiracy, forgery, corruption, and abuse of office.
The investigation further revealed that although the Polytechnic’s Governing Council had suspended the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, and Examination Officer over the scandal, there was no evidence linking them to the forgery scheme. The police concluded that the suspended officials were not involved and had no supervisory responsibility over Charles, who was assigned to the Library and Information Science Department.
The report criticized the Council’s handling of the matter, describing the suspension of the officials as procedurally irregular and lacking due process. The unilateral appointment of an Acting Registrar, Mrs. Eduge Christiana — who had previously contested for the position — was also flagged as controversial and suggestive of internal administrative rivalry.
Police findings confirmed that the forged certificates did not originate from the authorized offices of the Polytechnic. Investigators also verified that Martin White-Ufah, the self-acclaimed journalist who claimed to have obtained a fake ND certificate in the viral video, used fictitious identity details that do not match any official records of the institution.
While acknowledging that the video raised valid concerns, the police concluded that the fraud was perpetrated solely by external actors and a rogue staff member, with no evidence implicating the Polytechnic’s management. Confessions obtained from the suspects are only admissible against them, the report clarified.
The police recommended that Charles, Agomataye, and three other still-at-large suspects — identified as Armstrong, Agofure, and Collins — be charged in court for conspiracy, forgery, and related offenses. Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing.
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