The Federal Government has directed Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who was removed from his position as vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and chairman of the varsity’s governing council Wale Babalakin to step aside to allow probe.
Spokesman of the Federal Ministry of Education Ben Bem Goong stated this in a release on Friday night.
He said both men should step aside pending the outcome of a special visitation panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement also directed the Senate of the university to “nominate an acting vice-chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the Governing Council.”
Members of the special panel include Prof Tukur Sa’ad (chairman), Victor Onuoha, Prof Ikenna Onyido, Prof Ekanem Braide, Prof Adamu Usman, Jimoh Bankole and Grace Ekanem (secretary).
The panel’s terms of reference include “to determine whether the process (if any) leading to the appointment of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university was consistent with the provisions of the enabling Act,” and make recommendations, including sanctions, for all those found culpable.
The statement said the panel would be inaugurated on Wednesday in Abuja and would have two weeks to submit its report.
The Babalakin-led governing council had announced the removal of Ogundipe on allegations of “serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.”
The Federal Government’s intervention means Prof Theophilus Soyombo who was announced as the acting vice-chancellor of UNILAG will also step aside.
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