The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, FUO, Bayelsa State, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko has been directed by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, to refund over-payment of salaries running into millions of naira. This was as it also requested the varsity’s Registrar, David Suowari, to refund cumulatively the sum of N130, 692.71 per month in excess of his due salary.
The commission reportedly learnt of the over payments during its visit to the institution on May 12, 2015 to carry out an inspection of FUO’s remuneration practices vis-a-vis the extant government’s pay policy. This followed accusations that the VC and the Registrar were appropriating certain allowances to themselves which were not approved by the government.
The NSIWC handed these directives to Aluko in a letter signed for the Chairman of the Commission by the Director of Compensation, Chike Ogbechie.
According to the commission, “The findings of the inspection in respect of your institution (Federal University, Otuoke) were as follow:
“The Vice-Chancellor was being paid total emoluments of N1,970,476.76 monthly, whereas he should not earn more than N922,810.23 if he were paid furniture allowance en bloc earlier, or N1,043,176.79 if he were being paid furniture allowance.
“Much of the difference was attributed to certain allowances which were not approved by the government.”
Regarding the Registrar, NSIWC asserted that he was being paid N130,692.71 in excess of his due salary of N502,580.25. It also noted that the university disaggregated its staff salaries against the government’s policy of pay consolidation.
The commission consequently directed the university to stop “the wrongful practices” and comply with relevant rules and rates, adding that, “We hereby direct the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar to refund the cumulative over-payments made to them.
“You are to report to the commission in writing, your compliance with this directive within four weeks of this letter.”
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