A formal petition has been submitted to the Bauchi State Government, alleging widespread maladministration, corruption, abuse of office, and financial recklessness against Dr Hashimu Sabo Bello, Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), and the institution’s Governing Council.
The petition, addressed to Governor Bala Mohammed, was filed by Alkassim Muhammad Esq., a human rights activist, on behalf of three senior academics and administrators: Dr Abdulmajid Jamal Abubakar, former Deputy Rector (Quality Assurance); Dr Alhaji Adamu Sa’idu, former Rector; and Dr Musa Kallamu Hassan, former General Manager of ATAP Consultancy Ltd.
The complainants accused Dr Bello of multiple infractions, including the sale of official vehicles, a Lexus 300 Jeep and a Hilux, and their replacement with a Toyota Corolla without proper authorisation.
He was also accused of awarding a N70 million ICT support programme contract without the involvement of the governing council.
Other allegations include exceeding spending limits, misusing polytechnic funds, and unauthorised withdrawals from ATAP Consult funds.
The petitioners claimed that Dr Bello’s academic qualifications are “in doubt and questionable”.
The Governing Council was accused of negligence and failure to discharge its statutory responsibilities, including investigating complaints of administrative misconduct and acting on claims of sexual harassment.
The petitioners stated that the alleged maladministration has negatively affected the institution’s reputation and growth, with student enrolment dropping from over 12,000 to fewer than 4,000.
In a swift response, Dr Bello described the petition as baseless and false and a deliberate attempt by three former officials of the institution to tarnish his reputation and that of the governing council.
He alleged that the former officials were suspended and relieved of their duties over mismanagement of the institution’s resources.
The rector claimed that audit reports established issues with the previous administration, including unretired travel expenses and financial mismanagement.
He maintained that he has managed the institution’s resources with transparency and accountability.
According to the rector, upon assuming office, he discovered serious irregularities in the management of the polytechnic’s consultancy services, for which the former general manager was sanctioned and demoted by two ranks by the governing council.
He further alleged that the former rector had financial cases bordering on mismanagement, including the withdrawal of N10 million and additional administrative charges, as well as over N5 million allegedly withdrawn in the name of a fictitious insurance company.
Dr Bello claimed that audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation established the issues and that the matter is before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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