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Tag: Ogundipe

  • Popular Lagos pastor, Ogundipe sentenced to jail for unlawful conversion, stealing N14m, £12,000

    Popular Lagos pastor, Ogundipe sentenced to jail for unlawful conversion, stealing N14m, £12,000

    A popular televangelist and the head Genesis Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ, Alagbado, Lagos, Isreal Ogundipe, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court for unlawfully converting a woman’s property and stealing.

    Ogundipe, who has been on trial since 2011, was charged with seven-counts of obtaining by stealing, inducing delivery of money by false pretenses, unlawful conversion of property and forgery.

    Delivering the judgement in the matter Thursday, Justice Olabisi Akinlade found Ogundipe guilty of two out of the seven count charge brought against him by the state and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each of the count.

    He would however spend one year in prison as the sentence will run concurrently.

    The court found the prophet not guilty of five-counts of stealing, inducing delivery of money by false pretenses, giving false information to a public officer forgery.

    Justice Akinlade ordered the convict to make restitution of N11million to the complainant, a London-based architect, Mrs. Oladele Williams-Oni on counts two and four.

    Lead prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Rotimi Odutola, thanked the court for ”a well-considered judgment.”

    According to the prosecution, Ogundipe committed between August 30, 2002 and 2005.

    He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained N14million and £12,000 in several tranches from the complainant.

    The convict was also said to have between August 30, 2002 and December 2003, at No. 32, Bello St., Ladipo Estate, Shogunle, Lagos allegedly collected N2.9million from Williams-Oni to purchase an uncompleted building for her but fraudulently converted the money to his own use.

    The prosecution said that between March and December 2003 at Commint Bereau De Change, Broad Street, Lagos, the convict allegedly stole 12,000 British pounds from the complainant which was meant for the purchase of four plots of land for building a mosque.

    He is alleged to have stolen N8.5million between October 2002 and March 2003 from Williams-Oni for the purchase of landed properties in Lagos,” Odutola said.

    The prosecution also said that on diverse days between 2002 and 2003 he had received N2.6million from the complainant by falsely representing to her that he is man of God and that the money is to be used for his church.

    The convict was also alleged to have forged a Nigerian International Passport which carried his photo in the name Sanyaolu Babatunde Solomon at the Passport Office located at Oba Akinjobi St., Ikeja, Lagos,” Odutola said.

    According to the prosecution, the offences contravenes Sections 390(9), 419 and 467(1)(b) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos 2003.

  • UNILAG VC Ogundipe resumes, reacts to reports of seeking revenge

    UNILAG VC Ogundipe resumes, reacts to reports of seeking revenge

    The reinstated Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has debunked rumours going rounds that he had compiled a list of workers to sack or punish.

    The VC resumed on Thursday and was given a rousing welcome by the university community.

    Ogundipe was controversially removed from office on August 12 following accusations of financial impropriety and gross misconduct.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the VC’s reinstatement.

    He faulted the dissolved Wale Babalakin-led governing council for not following due process in his removal.

    The VC, who addressed the workers from the foyer of the Senate Building of the school said: “I have no intention to sack or punish any member of staff as have been speculated in some quarters. I have no list of workers that I want to sack or punish.

    “You have invested years of your lives into this university. Let us be united. It is not about academic or non-academic staff; it is about UNILAG. Let us all work together and allow peace to reign. We are committed to moving the university forward.”

    Ogundipe insisted that he was committed to the cause of the university and vowed to make it a global brand.

    “We will make the university a global brand. The management runs an open administration policy. I have not recklessly looted the university. Since 1996, I have held a number of positions here and I have not been found wanting. I am committed to giving my best to this university,” he said.

    While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari and other stakeholders, Ogundipe described the acting VC Prof. Folasade Ogunsola as a reliable and thoroughbred academic.

    The Acting VC, Prof. Ogunsola noted that no individual was bigger than the institution stressing that the university was capable of solving its problems.

    “Today is a day of victory. It is a day to celebrate the university. It calls for introspection. Together we stand, divided we fall. There is no problem within the university that we cannot solve. We should not externalise our problems. Despite our problems, we recognise that the University of Lagos is bigger than any individual. Nobody can debrand us,” she said.

    Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG chapter, Dr Dele Ashiru slammed the Chairman of the Special Visitation Panel, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad for saying he regretted endorsing the report of the panel.

    “We are sweeping tyranny, impunity and divisiveness away from our university. The victory is for the people. It is not for ASUU, NASU, NAAT, or SSANU,” he said.

    The Branch Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Kehinde Ajibade also praised Ogunsola for being reliable and trustworthy.

    He urged the VC to prioritize the welfare of staff.

    The Acting VC later did a formal handover to Ogundipe inside the VC’s office.

  • BREAKING: Buhari confirms TNG exclusive, reinstates suspended UNILAG VC, Ogundipe, dissolves Babalakin led-governing Council

    BREAKING: Buhari confirms TNG exclusive, reinstates suspended UNILAG VC, Ogundipe, dissolves Babalakin led-governing Council

    Suspended Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has been reinstated.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG had earlier reported that the embattled Vice Chancellor will be reinstated later today.

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

    The statement was titled, ‘Re: Report of special visitation panel to UNILAG’.

    It 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.”

    Details later…

  • UNILAG Crisis: Buhari suspends Babalakin, Ogundipe; sacks newly appointed Ag VC

    UNILAG Crisis: Buhari suspends Babalakin, Ogundipe; sacks newly appointed Ag VC

    …Sets up panel to probe crisis rocking institution

    …Asks senate to nominate new Acting Vice Chancellor

    The Visitor to University of Lagos (UNILAG), President Muhammadu Buhari has waded into the crisis rocking the institution.

    The president directed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Wale Babalakin, to recuse himself from official duties relating to the institution.

    Spokesman of the Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, who broke the news in a statement on Friday, said Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was also directed to recuse himself as Vice-Chancellor, adding that a panel has been set up to probe the crisis rocking UNILAG.

    The panel, which is chaired by Tukur Sa’ad, former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has Victor Onuoha, Ikenna Oyindo, Ekanem Braide, Adamu Usman, and Jimoh Bankole as members.

    According to a reports, the president also directed the Senate of the school to convene to nominate an acting vice-chancellor form among its members for the confirmation of the university’s council, thereby sacking the newly appointed Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Theophilus Omololu Soyombo. The new interim head is expected to act until the government reaches a resolution.

    Expected to submit its report within two weeks, the seven-man panel is to review the report of the council sub-committe on review of expenditure of the university since and make appropriate recommendation after given those indicted an opportunity to themselves. It is also expected to examine steps taken by the council leading to the removal of Ogundipe in order to determine whether due process was followed in accordance to the stipulated universities act and whether fair hearing was adhered to.

    The committee, which will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Wednesday, August 25, 2020, is also expected to come up with decision to assist government in ensuring peace in the university.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that trouble started in the institution when the Governing Council removed Ogundipe over alleged financial misappropriation and abuse of office. But Ogundipe kicked against his removal, saying due process was not followed.

    In a statement issued after the suit was withdrawn, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Ogundipe’s counsel, said his client took the step after consulting stakeholders and supporters within and outside the institution.

    Adegboruwa discredited claims that the court has commenced action on the ex-parte application.

    “Contrary to the falsehood being peddled by mischief makers, the National Industrial Court has never sat or conduct any proceedings in respect of the court case filed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwole Ogundipe,” the statement read.

    “No court proceedings ever took place at all and so, no decision or ruling has been rendered by the court. Indeed, upon detailed consultation with all stakeholders and his supporters in and outside the university, Prof Ogundipe directed his lawyers to file a notice of discontinuance of the suit and this has been done on August 21, 2020.

    “This is to defer to the authority of the President as the Visitor of the university as Prof Ogundipe has enough time to challenge his purported removal. This falsehood is being spread to malign the court and blackmail the judiciary by enemies of the rule of law and due process,” he said.

     

  • JUST IN: Ogundipe withdraws court case challenging removal as UNILAG VC

    JUST IN: Ogundipe withdraws court case challenging removal as UNILAG VC

    Professor Oluwole Ogundipe has discontinued a suit challenging his ‘removal’ as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.

    Ogundipe’s decision followed his deference to the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari as the varsity’s Visitor, his lawyers said on Friday.

    According to a statement by a member of his legal team, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the don stated the National Industrial Court, which he earlier approached, had neither sat nor conducted any proceedings in respect of the court case.

    Ogundipe was last Wednesday purportedly removed as UNILAG VC by the institution’s Council, chaired by SAN and businessman, Wale Babalakin.

    In a statement, Adegboruwa said: “Contrary to the falsehood being peddled by mischief makers, the National Industrial Court has never sat or conduct any proceedings in respect of the court case filed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwole Ogundipe.

    “No court proceedings ever took place at all and so no decision or ruling has been rendered by the court.

    “Indeed, upon detailed consultation with all stakeholders and his supporters in and outside the University, Professor Ogundipe directed his Lawyer’s to file a notice of discontinuance of the suit and this has been done on August 21, 2020.

    “This is to defer to the authority of the President as the Visitor of the University as Professor Ogundipe has enough time to challenge his purported removal.

    “This falsehood is being spread to malign the court and blackmail the judiciary by enemies of the rule of law and due process.

    “The general public is therefore advised to discountenance these mindless fabrications as the handiwork of those who are afraid of subjecting their illegal acts to the true test of probity and to be wary of fake news being peddled in place of truth, especially as they relate to deliberate manipulation of court proceedings.

    “There was no time that the court sat to fix any date for the case.”

  • UNILAG crisis: Removal of Ogundipe as VC was done in accordance to law – Babalakin

    UNILAG crisis: Removal of Ogundipe as VC was done in accordance to law – Babalakin

    Wale Babalakin, the Pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, has said the removal of Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution was due to gross misappropriation of funds and reckless looting of resources.

    Mr Babalakin said this Friday while addressing journalists at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    Babalakkin’s words, “The confusion is that most people don’t how governing council operates. There was full compliance of the law in the removal of Prof Ogundipe,” he said.

    “The issue has been lingering on for a long time. Series of attempt were made to reconcile but the VC was not forthcoming… a focal minority, who are benefiting from the corruption in UNILAG which has become cultural.

    “Due process was followed in the removal of Ogundipe. After the council committee indicted the VC, he wrote his defence in May and spoke for one hour. His sack was done in accordance with UNILAG law.”

    Giving a breakdown of events on the day that the former VC was removed, Babalakin said under UNILAG laws, voting can be done in secret or open ballot.

    “The votes were counted with each council members’ comments. Everyone voted, they didn’t just vote but they made comments and I read out all the comments,” he said.

    “Go and read the law, what the law said is that when a Vice Chancellor is removed and you have a complaint, you will write an appeal to the visitor. He cannot on his own, declare that he has not been removed as Ogundipe has done. He cannot on his own confront his employers. In law, he has resigned because if you challenge your employer and you are still in his employment, you have actually left.

    “The weakness of Ogundipe is that his legal advisers have not done a very thorough job. There is no stalemate and there is no chaos in the university because the law would take its course. It is not in the place of the removed VC to say he has not been removed. He cannot be a judge in his own court.

    “He cannot on his own declare that he has not been removed. He cannot on his own decide to confront his employer.”

    On the alleged looting, Babalakin said: “Professor Ogundipe has been looting the university and looting it recklessly, that’s the plain truth that we should not hide. There is misappropriation and there is direct looting of the university. All attempts were made to put an end to this.

    “The former VC spent N49 million renovating his house. Under the process, this has to be done with approval from the council, he sought no approval. To cover up, he gave the bursar N41 million to renovate his official residence. The official residence of the bursar can be built for N41 million from the scratch, this was what was spent on renovation.”

  • UNILAG crisis: ASUU, Senate say Governing Council lacks power to sack VC

    UNILAG crisis: ASUU, Senate say Governing Council lacks power to sack VC

    There was confusion in the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, community, on Wednesday following the counter-reports with one claiming the termination of the appointment of the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin and the other refuting the claim.

    While the university’s registrar, who also doubles as the secretary to the governing council, Mr Oladejo Azeez, signed the former report announcing the dismissal of VC by the governing council at its emergency meeting earlier on Wednesday in Abuja, the vice-chancellor signed the latter on behalf of the management, refuting the report of his sack about two hours later.

    The registrar in his memo, titled: “Notice to the general public on the removal of the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, stated in conclusion that “The vice-chancellor was removed based on council’s investigations of serious acts of wrongdoing, misconduct and financial recklessness and abuse of office by Prof Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe.”

    But in the counter-memo signed by the vice-chancellor, refuting the claim of his sack, Professor Ogundipe, said inter-alia that “His purported removal is an act of illegality and cannot stand as it is in clear violation of UNILAG Act as amended by the universities (miscellaneous provisions) amendment Act, 2003.

    He asked both members of the UNILAG community and the general public to disregard the information, noting that he is still the vice-chancellor of UNILAG.

    The spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, reacting to the University of Lagos (Unilag) crisis, has said that the Council has the power to “hire and fire” anybody.

    However, the various stakeholders in the university community, including the university’s senate, lecturers and non-academic staff, as well as students have reacted on both claims.

    They said they were yet to understand the real position as regards the counter-reports.

    They also said they were not believed yet that the vice-chancellor had been removed as nothing, according to them, warrants his removal.

    They said they had confidence in his person and his style of leadership since he came on board as the vice-chancellor of the university two years ago, adding that his administration follows due process in all its activities.

    The two Senate representatives in the governing council of the university, Professors Olukemi Odukoya, and Bola Oboh, in different statements, blamed Babalakin for Ogundipe’s purported removal, arguing that governing council did not follow due process.

    While noting that Ogundipe was not given an opportunity to defend himself on accusations levelled against his person, they said the action of Babalakin in this regard is tantamount to ridiculing the sitting vice-chancellor and the university management and therefore condemned it entirety.

    They said apart from them, two others who are Professor Foluso Ebun Lesi, who is the provost of the university’s college of medicine, Idi-Araba and Mr John Momoh, the National President of university’s alumni association against the removal of the VC at the meeting.

    They said but at the end of the day, Babalakin went ahead to announce the removal of the VC, saying six council members had voted in favour of the action.

    Also, the chairman of ASUU of the university, Dr Dele Ashiru, said if it was true that the vice-chancellor had been removed, the process of doing so was full of illegality and therefore would not stand.

    According to him, ASUU, as a union has confidence in the leadership style of Professor Ogundipe and any attempt to remove him unjustly, would be resisted by the lecturers.

    He said, “Babalakin cannot impose anybody on UNILAG and any attempt to do so will be resisted.”

    He said the purported removal of the VC was a “further confirmation of the union earlier position that Dr Wale Babalakin is a lawless, and vindictive pro-chancellor.”

    On his part, the acting Chairman of SSANU, Mr Olusola Sowunmi, said the union was still studying the two memos and all other events as unfolded on the matter and therefore would need clarifications.

    Governing council can hire and fire- Ministry of Education

    The spokesperson of Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, reacting to the University of Lagos (Unilag) crisis, has said that the Council has the power to “hire and fire” anybody.

    This is just as Goong explained that the ministry is yet to get a proper briefing on the earlier removal of the Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, by the Governing Council, led by ProChancellor Babawale Babalakin.

    Goong emphasised that “due process” must, however, be followed before removing anybody.

    “While the Ministry awaits for the proper briefing from the university authorities, it is important to reaffirm that council has the power to hire and fire but that due process must be followed in doing so,” Goong said.

    R\

  • Unilag leadership crisis: I remain Unilag’s Vice Chancellor, ‘sacked’ VC insists

    Unilag leadership crisis: I remain Unilag’s Vice Chancellor, ‘sacked’ VC insists

    The crisis rocking the university over the conflicts between the university management and its governing council’s leadership took a new dimension on Wednesday after the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Olawatoyin Ogundipe, was announced sacked by the governing council of the institution.

    His removal was announced during a meeting of the Governing Council of the institution which held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) building in Abuja on Wednesday.

    However, Ogundipe released a counter-statement, in which he refuted his removal from office, stressing that he remains the sitting VC of UNILAG.

    Ogundipe’s statement reads:

    Re: Notice to the General Public on the Removal of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos by Oladejo Azeez, Esq

    The attention of the University of Lagos (Unilag) management has been drawn to the ‘Notice to the General Public on the Removal of the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos’; dated August 12, 2020 and signed by Oladejo Azeez, Esq, Registrar and Secretary to Council, stating that the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS has been removed from office with immediate effect.

    This is untrue and a figment of his imagination. Therefore, stakeholders of Unilag and the general public are advised to disregard this mischievous disinformation about the sitting Vice-Chancellor of Unilag, contained in that notice. Professor Ogundipe still remains Unilag’s Vice-Chancellor.

    Activities leading to Ogundipe’s sack”

    Mr Ogundipe was removed at the council’s meeting held Wednesday at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission, Abuja.

    In attendance were at least 11 council members, the VC included, majority of whom voted for the removal of Mr Ogundipe.

    Seven members voted for the removal of Ogundipe (UNILAG Vice-Chancellor) while four voted against. One of the members voted that he should rather be placed on suspension.

    The meeting was presided over by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).

    A statement by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Oladejo Azeez titled: Notice to the General Public on the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos” based the decision on gross misconduct, financial recklessness among others.

    It reads: “The general public is hereby notified that at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday 12 August 2020 and in accordance with the statutory power vested in it by law, the Governing Council of the University of Lagos removed Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS from office as Vice-Chancellor of the University with immediate effect.

    “The decision was based on the Council’s investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness, and abuse of office against Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe.”

    Background:

    Recall the crisis was heightened during the varsity’s 2020 convocation ceremony was abruptly cancelled after some activities scheduled to be part of the event had already started.

    The development was condemned by relevant stakeholders including graduands, parents, alumni members and workers of the institution.

    The cancellation, which was ordered by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigerian universities’ regulatory authority, was in response to a directive by the education minister, Adamu Adamu.

    Mr Adamu had responded to a letter addressed to the vice-chancellor by the council chairman, accusing the vice-chancellor of failure to share important details of the ceremony with the council.

  • Detained Premium Times journalist, Samuel Ogundipe granted bail, released

    Samuel Ogundipe, Premium Times journalist, who has been detained since Tuesday has been released.

    Ogundipe was released on Friday morning after he was granted bail by magistrate Abdulwahab Mohammed of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Kubwa, Abuja.

    The judge had first heard the case on Wednesday after Mr Ogundipe was covertly arraigned without being allowed legal representation. On that day, Mr Mohammed approved a request by the police that the journalist be detained for five days until August 20.

    On Friday morning, Premium Times reports that Mr Ogundipe was to be taken to the same court. The company’s lawyer was thus present at the court.

    At the court, the lawyer argued for the bail of Mr Ogundipe, a demand that was not opposed by the police counsel.

    Mohammed granted the bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The bail conditions were met and Mr Ogundipe was released.

    Recall that earlier on Thursday, Premium Times had responded to a statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, accusing Mr Ogundipe of being in possession of classified document.

    Mr Moshood alleged that Mr Ogundipe’s action can cause a breach of national security.

    In its response, Premium Times through its Lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Mr Moshood’s statement was “misleading and prejudicial.”

    Ogundipe’s imprisonment has been condemned by Nigerians, local and international rights groups including Amnesty International and Committee to Protect Journalists.

     

  • UNILAG appoints Ogundipe as new Vice Chancellor

    The University of Lagos has appointed Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a professor of botany, as its new vice-chancellor.

    He becomes the 12th vice-chancellor of the university and will succeed Prof. Rahamon Bello.

    Prof. Ogundipe is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, UNILAG.

    When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the school, Toyin Adebule, confirmed Ogundipe’s appointment.

    “He has been appointed; he is our new VC,” he said.

    Apart from Ogundipe, other shortlisted candidates for the position included: Prof. Ben Oghojafor, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services; the university’s immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Prof. Duro Oni; a former Provost of the College of Medicine, UNILAG and former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi.

    Others were a former Dean of Students’ Affairs and now Director of Distance Learning Institute of the university, Prof. Olukayode Amund; Dean of Postgraduate School, Ajewole Moses; former Dean of UNILAG’s Faculty of Pharmacy, Odukoya Olukemi; and a former Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju.