Rivers Polytechnic Lecturer Appeals To Governor Over Withheld Salaries

Zoe Solomon Tamunotonye, a lecturer at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, has publicly appealed to His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State, over the continued withholding of his salaries and alleged inhuman treatment by the institution.

In an open letter addressed to the Governor, who is also the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Tamunotonye outlined the challenges he has faced despite a valid National Industrial Court judgment in his favor. He explained that repeated administrative attempts to address the issue were allegedly frustrated by collaborators within the Polytechnic who discarded his letters, leaving him no option but to appeal publicly.

Tamunotonye highlighted that on 7th January 2022, the Polytechnic announced his suspension and stopped his salary following allegations of sexual misconduct and rape by a young woman named Blessing Lucky Audu. “How can the punishment come before the crime?” he asked, pointing out that the petition was claimed to have been received on 14th January 2022, a week after his suspension was publicly announced.

A subsequent investigation panel vindicated him, yet the former Rector, Dr. Sam B. Kalagbor, and Deputy Rector, Dr. Moses Neebee (current Rector), reportedly refused to reinstate him or clear his name from a defamatory press release. Tamunotonye claims he was further threatened with dismissal for challenging unlawful actions that violated academic ethics.

After failed attempts at amicable resolution, he approached the National Industrial Court, which ordered the Polytechnic to pay his outstanding salaries, reinstate him, and release all entitlements and damages. However, he alleges that the institution has ignored this judgment for over two years. “The continued refusal to obey a court judgment has left me and my family in deep hardship, despite my loyalty and service to the institution and the state,” Tamunotonye stated.

He appealed directly to Governor Fubara for urgent intervention, emphasizing his personal understanding of oppression and injustice. He further noted the disparity in public reaction, saying, “Had I been found culpable of the alleged crime, the entire society including government institutions, security agencies, social media influencers, bloggers, and even religious leaders would have risen in one voice to demand justice for the lady involved. However, now that I have been declared innocent by due process, there is a painful silence.”

Tamunotonye concluded his letter expressing willingness to provide evidence and documents to substantiate his claims, urging the Governor to direct the Polytechnic to comply immediately with the court’s ruling.