The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has provided detailed clarification on the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of its former Registrar, Mr. Anthony Umeozor, amid widespread reactions and commentary on social media.
In a statement aimed at setting the record straight, the institution noted that the matter predates both the current Governing Council, chaired by Senator Engr. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, and the incumbent Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. While the 12th Governing Council was inaugurated in July 2024, the Rector assumed office in February 2025, making claims of vendetta or victimisation unfounded, the Polytechnic said.
Mr. Umeozor was appointed substantive Registrar by the 11th Governing Council in June 2022. However, the Federal Ministry of Education later identified procedural irregularities in the appointment process and subsequently nullified it. Following this decision, an Acting Registrar was appointed with the approval of the Ministry.
Dissatisfied with the development, Mr. Umeozor approached the National Industrial Court, Awka Division, in Suit No. NICN/AWK/CS/55/23, seeking validation of his appointment and the nullification of actions taken by the Acting Registrar. The court granted his prayers, prompting the Polytechnic to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal and apply for a stay of execution of the judgment. The institution also processed and entered records of appeal.
While the appeal was pending, Mr. Umeozor instituted a fresh action at the same court in Suit No. NICN/AWK/CS/40/24, again seeking a declaration that he remained the substantive Registrar. The Polytechnic objected, describing the suit as an abuse of court process in view of the subsisting appeal. Nonetheless, the court granted the reliefs sought, leading the institution to file another appeal alongside an application for stay of execution.
Subsequently, a petition by a registered civil society organisation was submitted to the Polytechnic, alleging that Mr. Umeozor had exceeded the statutory retirement age of 65 years and was therefore not eligible to remain in public service. Management referred the petition to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee after issuing a query to Mr. Umeozor, whose response was deemed unsatisfactory.
The committee, after granting Mr. Umeozor fair hearing and receiving his voluntary submissions, uncovered what it described as incontrovertible evidence of falsification of age. Its investigation revealed multiple dates of birth—1960, 1961 and 1965—on Mr. Umeozor’s official records, a finding classified as serious misconduct under Rule 100402(a) of the Public Service Rules.
Upon conclusion of its assignment, the committee submitted its report to Management, which adopted the recommendations and forwarded them to the Governing Council. The Polytechnic emphasised that no court order restrained the committee from carrying out its statutory duties, and that the issue of age falsification was not among the matters before the courts in Mr. Umeozor’s suits.
After deliberation, the Governing Council approved the dismissal of Mr. Anthony Umeozor from the services of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in accordance with Rule 100407 of the Public Service Rules, which prescribes dismissal as the penalty for serious misconduct.