The Rector of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (FCDTT), Dr. John Emaimo, has denied allegations that he disobeyed a directive from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to reinstate 19 workers dismissed in 2018.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Emaimo dismissed the claims as an attempt to malign his character, calling the accusations baseless and false.

Earlier reports had accused the Rector of violating the 2012 Harmonisation Act on Retirement Age for Staff of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education by unlawfully dismissing the workers and allegedly replacing them with individuals from his ethnic group. The reports further alleged that Dr. Emaimo had ignored an OHCSF directive to reinstate the workers, nearly 10 months after it was issued.

However, in his defense, Dr. Emaimo explained that FCDTT has never been classified as a polytechnic and is not governed by the 2012 Harmonisation Act. “The College was a division under the Federal Ministry of Health until December 5, 2017, when the Bill establishing the institution was signed into law,” he clarified.

Emaimo also stressed that the College does not have the authority to hire or dismiss employees independently, as all staff are paid through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) managed by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He urged the public to disregard the allegations, reiterating his commitment to upholding transparency and due process in the administration of the institution.