Can I forcibly deactivate an iPad? If not, what are my options?

I've just been given a corporate iPad mini that previously was used by someone else in my team. It has been factory reset, but when I start it up, it says the iPad is currently linked to an Apple ID and asks me to sign in with that Apple ID (which I don't have). The person in question is uncontactable. Is there any way I can forcibly reset it and remove its link to that Apple ID? If not, are there any options which make it more useful than a lightweight doorstop?