The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been asked to probe the sacked vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe over alleged looting and misappropriation of funds.
In a letter to the commission dated, Friday, August 21, the petition stated that stakeholders of UNILAG and members of the Public whose taxes were used to run the university were interested in the probe of the sacked VC.
The petition signed by Olorunfemi Adeyeye on behalf of the Coalition of University of Lagos Student Unionists, read, “We hereby petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the sacked Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe over his involvement (as seen in his defence) and indictment in several allegations of looting and misappropriation of funds while in office as the Vice Chancellor.
“It is already in the public domain reports of a Sub-committee headed by Dr Saminu Dagari, a representative of the Federal Government on the Council of the University of Lagos. This committee was set up after contracted auditors have looked into the account books of the University and have reportedly found the “hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob”.
“Relying on reports already published by reputable news outfits, like PremiumTimes and The Guardian, we find it disturbing that the anti-corruption agency is yet to take up this matter for the sake of national interest and in line with the anti-corruption mantra of the President Buhari-led administration.
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“However as concerned citizens and direct victims of the ongoing crisis, we have taken it upon ourselves to reach out; to remind the EFCC of one of its statutory roles which is to keep an eagle eye on the financial running of public institutions by public servants.
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“Members of the Council or Senate cannot be left with these serious allegations of financial recklessness as seen in those reports. They are mere rapporteurs to the extent of their reports and powers.
“In view of the aforementioned, it is pertinent that Nigerians are not kept in the dark as regards the running of a Public trust such as the University of Lagos. UNILAG is not Bi-Courtney, neither is it a parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“Parents whose children are being forced to sleep in bed-bug infested halls of residence deserve to know what’s going on. Lecturers who sweat in overpopulated classrooms due to absence of functioning public address systems need to know. The non-academic staffers at the University should for no reason be kept in the dark about the financial standing of the University.
“The belief of the international community in the transparency culture of the management of affairs in the public sector needs to strengthened. An independent probe by a body like the EFCC, which is mandated by law to do such, would help in no little way to restore such confidence.”
The petition added that it was no longer news that Professor Ogundipe was sacked on August 12th 2020 at an emergency meeting in Abuja, over the following allegations of extra-budgetary spending of N9, 739,977.89 on Convocation ceremony without approval by the Council; Spending above the limit of N2.5 million; forgery of University documents; spending without approval of the sums of N49, 434,038.45, N41, 817,658.32 and N16, 123,509.00 respectively for renovation of apartments of some principal officers of the University in contravention with the extant financial regulations of the University.
In addition, it said the sum of N3, 733,494.85 was spent renovating the official residence of the Chancellor, while the sum of N1, 354,290.00 was spent renovating the Pro- Chancellor’s official residence.
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“Prof. Ogundipe’s management was reported to have spent a total sum of N57, 272,050.44 on waste management and janitorial services in breach of procurement laws and practices; spent the sum of N52, 080,000.00 on the purchase of two vehicles well above the University Tender Board’s threshold limit; spent a total sum of N57, 921,581.00 on the foreign trips of himself and some of his management team.
“The Dagari committee found that the Vice Chancellor was able to approve these payments based on an illegal contract splitting device. Between May 2017 and September 2018, Prof. Ogundipe’s management paid out a total sum of N41,580,300.00 to the Dean of Student Affairs through a monthly payment of N2, 445,900.00 on some ‘clandestine security activities,’ the petition added.
The petitioners urged the EFCC to investigate the allegations, bring to the public its findings, and prosecute as soon as practicable anyone found wanting in the whole matter.
“As good citizens of Nigeria, we would be on standby if there be any assistance needed to speed up this process for peace to return to the campus and for national interest,” it said.
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