President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted a Visitation Panel to look into the crises rocking the institution between the Governing Council and the Vice Chancellor.
The President also directed Wale Babalakin, pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council of the University of Lagos and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President.
The directive was announced on Friday in a press statement by the Federal Ministry of Education spokesman, Ben Goong.
“Government also directs the Senate of the University of Lagos to immediately convene to nominate an acting Vice-Chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the Governing Council,” the statement added.
Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.
Ogundipe, however, rejected the Council’s decision, saying the University’s due process had not been followed.
The University’s Senate, alumni, and labour unions also put out statements saying the due process had not been followed.
But Babalakin, in several media reactions, insisted that due process had been complied with in terminating Ogundipe’s appointment.
The Presidential Panel, made up of seven members, is expected to determine whether the required steps were taken by the Council in sacking Ogundipe.
They are also expected “to make appropriate recommendations including sanctions for all those found culpable” in the investigation, which is expected to last for two weeks.
The panel will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on August 26.
Members of the panel include Professor Tukur Sa’ad (Chairman), Barrister Victor Onuoha, Professor Ikenna Onyido, Professor Ekanem Braide, Professor Adamu K. Usman, Chief Jimoh Bankole and Barrister Grace Ekanem (Secretary).
Babalakin’s Governing Council had, on August 12, sacked Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor over alleged financial misappropriation and misconduct.
The council went further to appoint an acting vice chancellor, Prof. Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
However, the institution’s Senate and all its workers unions condemned Ogundipe’s removal, saying it flouted the university’s regulations.
They all passed a vote of confidence on Ogundipe and vowed not to recognise the acting vice-chancellor.
Ogundipe insisted he remains the vice chancellor, urging the public to disregard news of his removal
He said the University’s due process had not been followed.
But Babalakin, in several media reactions, insisted that due process had been complied with in terminating Ogundipe’s appointment.
Ogundipe filed a case at the National Industrial Court early this week to challenge his removal but withdrew the suit on Friday
