The Federal Government has suspended the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Oyewole, with immediate effect, pending the determination of criminal charges against him.
Oyewole is billed to complete his five-year term as the VC of the University on May 23.
The embattled VC was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday 24th, November 2016, on 18 count charge bordering on allegation of stealing, abuse of office and fraudulent conversion of university property to personal use.
His suspension was announced in a letter dated 5th of May, 2017 with reference number: FME/HE/SU/56A/V/929 and signed by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Hussaini Adamu, on behalf of the Minister.
The letter reads, ” Sequel to your arraignment before an Ogun State High Court on criminal charges, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday 24th 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 the your office to the most senior Deputy VC, in the University.”
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Public Relations of FUNAAB said it could not confirm whether Professor Oyewole had been suspended from office.
This is contained in a statement by its Head, Mrs. Emi Alawode that formal statement on the issue in due course.
The statement said, “The Directorate Unit of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has been inundated with inquiries on whether the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, has been suspended from office or not.
“Consultations are in progress with the University Administration on the true position of things, while a formal statement will be issued in due course. Meanwhile, all normal academic and administrative activities are ongoing unabated, in the University.”