Six-Count Corruption Petition Hits ATAP as Rector, Governing Council Face Probe Over N200m Alleged Mismanagement, Negligence of Duties.

From Paul Orude 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 complaint, dated March 2, 2026, and addressed to the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, was written by Alkassim Muhammad Esq., a Human Right Activist and  member of the International Bar Association.,  on behalf of three senior academics and administrators: Dr. Abdulmajid Jamal Abubakar, former Deputy Rector for Director of Quality Assurance; Dr. Alhaji Adamu Sa’idu, former Rector; and Dr. Musa Kallamu Hassan, former General Manager of ATAP Consultancy Ltd.

In the petition, the complainants accused the Rector, Dr. Hashimu Sabo Bello, of multiple infractions.

These include alleged sale of official vehicles, including a Lexus 300 Jeep and a Hilux, and their replacement with a Toyota Corolla without proper authorization and beyond his approval limit.

The rector is also accused of awarding and conducting the bidding process for an ICT Support Programme contract worth N70 million on November 11, 2024, without the involvement of the Governing Council.

They also alleged that the rector of spending exceeding his spending limits and allegedly misusing Polytechnic funds between July and November 2024, illegally chairing ATAP Consult and excluding the Governing Council’s representative.

The complainants also accused the rector of allegedly spending over N130 million raised by a Registration and Verification Committee without proper authority or accountability while serving in an acting capacity, unauthorized withdrawals from ATAP Consult funds in collaboration with unidentified individuals and questions surrounding his academic qualifications, which the petitioners claim are “in doubt and questionable.”

The petitioners stated that several of the allegations were supported with appended documents, including a previous query reportedly issued to the Rector by a former Governing Council Chairman.

In the same vein, the complaint also accused the Governing Council of negligence and failure to discharge its statutory responsibilities as provided under the institution’s enabling law, CAP 113.

Among the claims are failure to investigate complaints of administrative misconduct against the Rector and the Registrar, Lawal Sambo, since August 2025, alleged failure to act on claims of sexual harassment involving a close ally of the Rector.

It also accused the governing council of allowing certain Heads of Departments and Directors to simultaneously serve in ATAP while on sabbatical at other institutions, allegedly flouting academic and administrative protocols and claims that some members of the Governing Council lack the academic qualifications required under the law to effectively manage the affairs of the Polytechnic.

The petitioners further alleged that the Council had failed to invite or hear complainants regarding the issues raised and had neglected its oversight duties.

The complainants argued that the alleged maladministration has negatively affected the institution’s growth and reputation.

They claimed that student enrollment at ATAP has dropped significantly from over 12,000 students in previous years to fewer than 4,000 under the current administration.

They described the situation as a “serious threat” to the future of the institution if urgent steps are not taken.

The petition also alleged that the Rector had claimed to be “untouchable,” citing support from influential political figures.

It further alleged that he was instrumental in the removal of a previous Governing Council chaired by Dr. Abubakar Surumbai Shaikh Dahiru Bauchi, as well as the ousting of a former Rector.

These claims, however, remain allegations and have not been independently verified.

The petitioners called on Governor Bala Mohammed to:

1.         Constitute an independent visitation panel to investigate the institution’s affairs.

2.         Immediately suspend the Rector pending the outcome of investigations.

3.         Suspend the Governing Council pending a thorough probe.

4.         Appoint a qualified replacement for the Rector.

5.         Reconstitute the Governing Council with academically qualified members.

6.         Suspend the Registrar pending investigation.

7.         Conduct a comprehensive and independent financial audit of the institution.

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, the Commissioner for Higher Education, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, and the National Human Rights Commission.

As of press time, neither the Rector nor the Governing Council had issued an official response to the allegations.

The Bauchi State Government has yet to publicly comment on whether it will constitute the requested visitation panel