SAN FRANCISCO, August 12, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government on Wednesday distanced itself from the purported removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, by its Governing Council, saying it has not been briefed.
A statement by the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong, said while the ministry awaits proper briefing from UNILAG authorities, it was important to reaffirm that council has the power to hire and fire but must follow due process.
The statement read, “My dear colleagues, the Federal Ministry of Education wishes to state that it is yet to be briefed on the developments at the University of Lagos regarding the purported removal of the VC.
“While the ministry awaits for the proper briefing from the university authorities, it is important to reaffirm that council has the power to hire and fire, but that due process must be followed in doing so.”
The action of the UNILAG Council members on Wednesday may not be unconnected with the lingering faceoff between Ogundipe and the Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN.
THEWILL earlier reported that the Council in a statement by its Registrar and Secretary, Oladejo Azeez titled, ‘Notice to the general public on the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG’, said the VC was sacked “based on an investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.”
The statement reads: “The General Public is hereby notified that at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, and in accordance with the statutory powers vested in it by Law, the Governing Council at the University of Lagos removed Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, from office as Vice-Chancellor of the University with immediate effect.
“This decision was based on the Council’s investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office against Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe.”
The announcement came after a meeting it held in Abuja.
It was gathered that 12 members of the council were present at the meeting and seven voted for Ogundipe’s emoval, four voted against it and one voted that he be placed on suspension.
But in a swift reaction, Professor Ogundipe, described his removal from office as untrue and illegal.
Ogundipe in a statement said: “The attention of the University of Lagos (Unilag) Management has been drawn to a notice to the general public on the removal of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, dated Aug. 12 and signed by Oladejo Azeez, Esq, Registrar and Secretary to council.
“It states that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has been removed from office with immediate effect.
“The purported removal is an illegality and cannot stand as it is in clear violation of the University of Lagos Act as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003.
“Therefore, members of the University of Lagos community and the general public are advised to disregard the information as contained in the notice.
“Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe remains the Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos branch, on Wednesday condemned the “purported removal” of Professor Ogundipe.
The Chairman of the union, Dr Dele Ashiru said, “His removal is illegal and uncalled for. Our union condemns in the strongest term the purported removal. It is the machination of the pro-chancellor to destabilise this university.
“We reaffirm our confidence in the leadership of Professor Toyin Ogindipe as Vice-Chancellor of the university.
“The Council does not have the constitutional powers to sack the Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
“The enabling law of the University of Lagos (Unilag) Act 1962 states how the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers of the school can be appointed or removed from office.
“Article 17 under the Constitution and functions of the University and its constituents bodies, listed how the Pro-Chancellor and certain members of the Council can be removed from office…”
THEWILL recalls that Ogundipe and the Council Chairman, Babalakin have been at loggerheads over the running of the institution.
Their disagreement led to the suspension of this year’s convocation ceremony of the university in March. Consequently, ASUU held a Congress where Babalakin was declared unwelcomed on campus.
The last time the council wanted to hold its meeting on campus, ASUU also fixed a Congress for the same day, prompting the council to postpone its meeting, and later moved it to Abuja where it held on Wednesday.
