President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reinstatement of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe on grounds that his removal by the school’s governing council did not follow due process.
The government said the process adopted by the council in the appointment of Prof. 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 decision was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director (Press and Public Relations), Federal Ministry of Education, Ben-Bem Goong, entitled: ‘Re: Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos’ which also dissolved Governing Council chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).
The statement read, “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 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.
“Mr. President after careful review of the report has approved all the recommendations of the Panel.
“Accordingly, Prof. 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.”
