The United Action for Democracy (UAD) has submitted a petition to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to suspend the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, to prevent the looming collapse of the institution.
UAD, a coalition of pro-democracy and human rights groups, in a petition signed by its Organising Secretary, Kazeem Oloyede, cited what it described as grave allegations of corruption against the Vice-Chancellor. The group noted that Professor Odusanya’s continued stay in office threatens the stability of the institution, endangers its credibility, and could trigger an uncontrollable internal crisis among academic staff, non-academic staff, and students.
In the petition, a copy of which was sighted by the Tribune Online, the group accused the Vice-Chancellor of gross abuse of procurement laws by deliberately bypassing the Procurement Department and violating the Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021.
He was alleged to have personally awarded contracts without following due process.
The group also accused him of corrupt contract awards, claiming he colluded with the Procurement Officer and the Auditor to manipulate contract processes by selecting companies of personal interest for fraudulent financial gain.
Other allegations include massive contract inflation.
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“The unchecked corruption within LASUSTECH has triggered growing resentment among academic staff, non-academic staff, and students, who are on the verge of full-blown protests.
“If immediate action is not taken, the institution risks total breakdown, leading to national and international disgrace,” the petition stated.
“We are demanding the immediate suspension of Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya as Vice-Chancellor to allow for transparent investigations and prevent further damage to LASUSTECH.
“There should be the appointment of an interim leadership to restore confidence in the university’s administration and ensure accountability.
“There should also be a full-scale forensic audit into the mismanagement of the accreditation fund and immediate prosecution of all individuals found culpable in the financial misappropriation, to serve as a deterrent to future violations.
“Your Excellency, the reputation of LASUSTECH, Lagos State, and Nigeria’s education sector is at stake.
“The global academic community is watching, and any failure to act decisively will tarnish the image of your administration and the state.
“We urge you to act swiftly to prevent the imminent implosion of LASUSTECH and ensure that justice prevails,” the petition added.
Oloyede noted that several law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Lagos State Police Command, have already received reports on the matter, and investigations are said to be ongoing.
“However, for justice to take its course without interference, it is imperative that the Vice-Chancellor be immediately suspended to prevent obstruction of investigations and further financial damage to the institution,” he said.
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