President Muhammadu Buhari has dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin.
This was in fulfilment of the recommendation of a Special Visitation Panel set up by President Buhari to resolve the crisis rocking the institution following the removal of the Vice-Chancellor by Dr Babalakin who was the chairman of the council.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Ben-Bem Goong on Tuesday, said the FG has dissolved the governing council.
The statement read: “The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved.”
Ogundipe was accused of financial impropriety and gross misconduct.
He was removed at a council meeting held at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission, Abuja.
However, his removal was criticised by the university community prompting the Federal Government to direct the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, University of Lagos, Dr. Babalakin and the sacked Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to step aside from their official duties pending the outcome of the special panel report.
-Advertisement-
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Suspended UNILAG VC, Ogundipe reinstated
The President, as visitor to the University also removed Prof. Theophilus Soyombo, the Acting Vice Chancellor appointed by Babalakin and appointed Prof Folashade Ogunsola to act as the VC pending the report of the visitation committee.
Dr Babalakin has since resigned as the chairman of council. Other members of the council have also tendered their resignation.
The panel had stated that the VC was not given a fair hearing.
It also said that the removal of Professor Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor did not follow due process.
“The Vice Chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated,” it recommended.
Franktalknow.com had on Tuesday reported the reinstatement of the VC by the Federal Government.
It also recommended that all the allegations made against the VC and the management of the university should be referred to regular visitation panel for thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: FG Gives Reason For Reinstating UNILAG VC, Ogundipe
The statement said, “President Muhammadu Buhari, and Visitor to the University of Lagos has approved the Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos.
“The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by Mr. President are as follows:
“The removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor did not follow due process.
“The Vice Chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated.
“All allegations made against the Vice Chancellor and the management of the University before and after the Constitution of the Special Visitation Panel should be referred to regular Visitation Panel for thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.
“The process adopted by the Council in the appointment of Professor Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University was inconsistent with the provisions of the Law relating to the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor.
“The Governing Council should be dissolved.
“Mr. President after careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the Panel.
“Accordingly, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
“The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved.”
We do everything possible to supply quality news and information to all our valuable readers day in, day out and we are committed to keep doing this.
Your kind donation will help our continuous research efforts.
-Advertisement-
-Want to get the news as it breaks?-
