FUNAAB: Why VC defied suspension order, by pro-chancellor, registrar

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By Olufemi SHODUNKE

NIGERIA: THE newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Ogun State, Dr. Aboki Zhawa, has defended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, on his decision to defy the suspension order placed on him by Federal Government.

The clarification by Zhawa, a lawyer, came at the time the University also said that Oyewole had written letter of appeal to the Visitor of FUNAAB and is awaiting the government’s decision on the appeal, apparently justifying why he is still holding unto his seat.

Zhawa in an exclusive interview with GatewayMail said that since the Vice-Chancellor had appealed to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, he has the right to retain his seat.

Similarly, the university in a news release signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr. Matthew Ayoola, said that there was not truth in the media publication that the Vice-Chancellor defied the “purported suspension” order place on him by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

“It has come to the knowledge of the University Administration that some erroneous publications are being made by a group of mischievous people that the Vice-Chancellor is defying the directive of the Federal Ministry of Education. This is not correct,” Ayoola said.

He further said: “The truth is that the Vice-Chancellor had, in line with the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, written a Letter of Appeal to the Visitor of the University in respect of the purported suspension.

“Arising from the above, the Vice-Chancellor is awaiting response from the Visitor on his appeal,” the Registrar stated, adding: “It should be noted that once an appeal is made on matters of this nature the status quo remains, until the appeal is considered.”

Zhawa who explained that he was not notified by Adamu on the suspension of Oyewole said: “I don’t have any document that he is under suspension; if I don’t have any document I cannot do anything about what I am not aware of and don’t know.”

The Pro-Chancellor stressed: “He told me he has made an appeal to the minister; he is allowed to make such an appeal in line with the law.  He told me that, and we shall be waiting”

When asked if he’s aware of the suspension letter despite not being informed by the Minister, Zhawa declared: “How would I know as the letter was dated 5^th May and I was sworn in on the 9^th of May and so I was not in office by then?

“I can’t answer the question; I was not on ground when the suspension letter was issued to him,” he stated, adding: “I don’t want to join the controversy since I was not told, I was not involved and he has made an appeal to the minister.”

The Chairman further said: “Probably many people don’t know that he has made an appeal and while appealing you cannot vacate your seat.  He too, by law, is allowed to make an appeal and which is what he has done; that is why I don’t have a problem on the issue.

“The appeal is in accordance with the university law and that his tenure is finishing very soon and that they should consider that. Though there are people who doesn’t want him there and I am a lawyer and I must follow the rule.  I believe in the rule of law and I want to follow it strictly.”

It would be recalled that Oyewole alongside the former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and ex-Bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi, first appeared in court on Friday, November 25, 2016 on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office.

Ogunlewe, Oyewole and Ilesanmi were alleged to have misappropriated the university funds running up to N800 million.

The Education Ministry had last Thursday directed Oyewole, who had refunded N2.4 million into government coffer few days after his appearance in court, to step aside from his exalted office.

The Minister told Oyewole in his letter the reason for the suspension thus: “Sequel to your arraignment before an Ogun State High Court on criminal charges, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, 24^th November 2016, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval to place you on suspension from Office with immediate effect pending the determination of the court case against you in accordance with extant rules.”

“You are therefore, directed to hand over the affairs of your office to the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, in the University,” Adamu said in a letter reference number FME/HE/SU/56A/V/929 dated May 5, 2017 and signed by Dr. Hussaini Adamu, acting Permanent Secretary.

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