UNILAG Crisis: FG Suspends Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Sets Up Panel

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

The federal government has waded into the crisis rocking the University of Lagos (UNILAG), suspending Wale Babalakin as the pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council of the institution.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by spokesperson of the ministry of education, Ben Goong, Cable published.

Goong also stated that Oluwatoyin was equally suspended as the vice-chancellor (VC), adding that a panel of inquiry has been commissioned to probe the crisis rocking the institution.

According to the statement, Tukur Sa’ad, former vice-chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna, chairs the panel, with Victor Onuorah Onuoha, Ikenna Oyindo, Grace Braide, Adamu Usman, and Jimoh Bankole as members.

Recall the governing council had sacked Ogundipe over alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office.

But the former VC opposed his sacking, stating that due process was not followed.

Ogundipe had filed a petition at the national industrial court to challenge his sacking.

However, he withdrew the petition which he filed against defendants: UNILAG, Babalakin, UNILAG senate; Oladejo Azeez, the institution’s registrar; and Theophilus Soyombo, the acting VC.

His counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, in a communique after the withdrawal said Ogundipe withdrew the case after due consultation with stakeholders and supporters within and outside the institution.

Adegboruwa debunked speculations that the court has commenced action on the ex-parte application.

The statement read, “Contrary to the falsehood being peddled by mischief makers, the National Industrial Court has never sat or conduct any proceedings in respect of the court case filed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwole Ogundipe.”

“No court proceedings ever took place at all and so no decision or ruling has been rendered by the court. Indeed, upon detailed consultation with all stakeholders and his supporters in and outside the university, Prof Ogundipe directed his lawyers to file a notice of discontinuance of the suit and this has been done on August 21, 2020.

“This is to defer to the authority of the President as the Visitor of the university as Prof Ogundipe has enough time to challenge his purported removal. This falsehood is being spread to malign the court and blackmail the judiciary by enemies of the rule of law and due process.”

 

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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