It is now clear why the embattled Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, withdrew a case he filed against his removal by the governing council of the school headed by Dr. Wale Babalakin.
It had been widely speculated, but Friday the Federal Government directed him and the Pro-Chancellor, Babalakin, to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President.
Recall that one of his lawyers, Ebun Adegboruwa SAN had hinted in a statement at the planned Government action, following speculations that the court refused to hear Ogundipe’s case.
Adegboruwa said his client withdrew his suit “upon detailed consultation with all stakeholders and his supporters in and outside the University.”
He adds, “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.”
The information over the Federal Government’s decision was announced in a press statement signed 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).
▪︎ Additional reports by Channels TV
