FUTA VC trial: ASUU dissociates self from VC’s continued stay in office

THE Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) chapter, on Sunday dissociated itself from the resolution of the university Senate not to remove the institution Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, who is standing trial over an alleged charge bordering on fraud and misappropriation of funds.

ASUU’s position was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the union in the school, Dr Bola Oniya, who said the stand of FUTA Senate should not be misconstrued as its position.

Oniya stated in the statement, “This is to inform the general public that the attention of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUTA Branch has been drawn to the widely published resolution of the Senate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure stating inter alia:

“No machinery or process should be put in place under any guise to remove the Vice-Chancellor from office or compel him to proceed on leave”

“In line with the union’s principle, has maintained neutrality since the commencement of this crisis and still remains so.

“The union therefore wishes to state emphatically that the above position of the Senate is not the position of the Union and should not be misconstrued as such.”

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Daramola and the institution Bursar, Emmanuel Oresegun, have been dragged before a High Court sitting in Akure by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over a nine count charge.

The duo were charged before the Court on a nine count charge bordering on fraud, felony, obtaining under false pretence, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds and conspiracy to steal among others.

The two principal officers pleaded not guilty to all the nine charges and were granted bail by Justice Bola Ademola.

Some workers of the institution have called on the Vice Chancellor to step aside pending the conclusion of the suit before the court, but the Senate of the institution has resolved not to ask Daramola to step aside or compel him to proceed on leave.