A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the financial records of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, on the basis of allegations misappropriation of funds leveled against the management and governing council of the institution.
It also kicked against the proposed reappointment of the current pro-chancellor/chairman of council, Professor Adebayo Ninalowo, whose tenure, it claimed, expired in September.
The group comprising Workbond International Network (WIN), United Action for Democracy (UAD), Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI) and All Nigeria Students Against Neo-Liberalism Attack (ANSA) made the call at a media briefing in Lagos.
Speaking on their behalf, Mr Kunle Ajayi Wizeman, who is the secretary-general of UAD, said the anti-graft agency and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) should deploy their forensic teams to LASU to investigate the financial transactions of the university in the last couple of years.
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On Professor Ninalowo’s proposed reappointment, the group said his return and that of some other members of the governing council would be “a betrayal of collective interest of the public and especially the LASU stakeholders.”
Professor Ninalowo’s reappointment, they said, “would only lead to continuation of regime of blackmail and highhandedness against officials and members of LASU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).”
But when asked if punishment should not be given to workers after proven culpable of contravening laws guiding their operations, the group said the dismissal of five out of nine executive members of ASUU-LASU was to “weaken the union,” which it claimed remained the only vocal voice in LASU.
When contacted for reaction, the university’s spokesman, Mr. Ademola Adekoya, said the coalition’s position on the indentified matters showed that it lacked knowledge of the real situation on campus.
He said LASU’s financial records are available for scrutiny by whoever or agency that wants to.
“There is nothing to hide about LASU’s operations –be it financial, administration, or academic. We are in a new LASU and very determined to face out totally the old bad order,” Adekoya said.
Adekoya said it is only a few people (less than two per cent of the workforce in LASU) who found it difficult to adjust to the new order of transparency and discipline are fomenting trouble by making unfounded allegations against the system.
He said Professor Ninalowo’s reappointment for a second term as chairman of the governing council is the sole responsibility of the governor of the state, who is also the visitor to the university, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“The governor can choose whoever he wants, including from the current governing council members. He can even appoint today and decide to dissolve the entire council tomorrow if need be. That decision is for him alone and not for the management of the university because the governing council chairman is answerable to the governor and not to the vice chancellor,” he explained.
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