JUST IN: Buhari Reinstates Suspended UNILAG VC Ogundipe

President Muhammadu Buhari has reinstated the suspended Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

Ogundipe’s reinstatement was contained in a statement from the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Ben-Bem Goong, on Wednesday.

Ogundipe was reinstated based on the recommendation of the Visitation Panel raised by the President to investigate the crisis which rocked the university.

The panel had said the VC’s sacking did not follow the laid down rules because he was not given the opportunity to defend himself.

The statement read in part, “President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University of Lagos has approved the Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos.

“The highlights of the findings and recommendations approved by Mr. President are as follows – the removal of Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor did not follow due process.

“The vice chancellor was not granted an opportunity to defend himself on the allegations upon which his removal was based. He should accordingly be re-instated.

“All allegations made against the vice chancellor and the management of the university before and after the constitution of the Special Visitation Panel should be referred to regular Visitation Panel for thorough investigation and necessary recommendations.

“The process adopted by the council in the appointment of Professor Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University was inconsistent with the provisions of the Law relating to the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor.

“The Governing Council should be dissolved.

“Mr. President after careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the Panel.

‘Accordingly, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

“The Governing Council of the University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. Babalakin is hereby dissolved. Mr. President hopes these steps will bring peace, stability, focus and direction to the University.”

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had on August 13 faulted the Babalakin-led council for removing Ogundipe unconstitutionally.

The ASUU chairman, UNILAG chapter, Dr Dele Ashiru, told THE WHISTLER that the council’s action was wrong because it did not follow due process.

The union refused to back the council stressing that its congress would continue to see Ogudipe’s removal as illegal.