The Federal Government on Thursday suspended the Vice-Chancellors of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola and his counterpart at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Oyewole over alleged fraud.
A letter signed by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Hussaini Adamu, noted that the vice-chancellors were suspended in connection with their ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the letter instructed them (the suspended VCs) to handover to the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellors of their respective institutions.
However, a statement by the Head, Directorate of Public Relations, FUNAAB, Mrs. Emi’ Alawode, neither affirmed nor denied the suspension.
“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,’’ she said.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Daramola has a running battle with academic and non-academic members of staff of the university over mismanagement of funds. The unions had also urged the governing council of the university to remove Daramola from office.
Daramola, who had been arraigned by the EFCC, is due for retirement in May (this month).
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) recently called for the sack of some Vice Chancellors over allegations of fraud.
Mr Samson Ugwoke, SSANU National President, made the call when the union picketed the University of Abuja.
Ugwoke listed the alleged corrupt vice-chancellors as those of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB); Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); University of Abuja (UniAbuja), and Plateau State University (PLSU).