Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin has asserted that the embattled Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was legally removed by the Governing Council of the institution.
Dr. Babalakin reiterated the position of the council, which he chairs, on Monday when he was a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, monitored by Echotitbits.
“First, let me repeat that the Council complied with due process in the removal of Professor Toyin Ogundipe.
“I’ve heard a lot of comments on all media. And these comments ignore a fundamental fact – Ogundipe has not denied any wrongdoing. He has not said that he did not spend N120 million renovating the residence of himself and two of his cronies without mentioning it to anybody. It was discovered. It was not mentioned, it was not prevented and there was no approval. That is patent illegality. And he has not denied it.
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“In fact, he concealed it until two-and-a-half years after Council came in, when, a (Professor Omoleyinwa) report found out that he had concealed information and had presented what is not a budget as a budget.
Babalakin maintained Ogundipe’s sack by the University’s Governing Council last week was legal as the VC has not denied any of the allegations leveled against him while he only rejected the decision, claiming the process was not fair and did not follow due process.
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“Ogundipe has not denied that he created something very new in the University – the concept of security votes. Or he continued it – I don’t know when it started. But he paid security votes, which is money that requires no account in the University. He has not denied it.
“Ogundipe has not denied that he forged documents, in trying to present a candidate for the Director of Works. He was Chairman of the Committee and he was told to collate results. When he collated results, the second became first, first became second, he never denied it. On the floor of the Council – and it’s in the minutes – he did not have any comments about it.
“Ogundipe has not, till today, been able to present a proper account of the University. Three sets of people have looked at the account; none have said that the accounts represent a fair representation of the University’s financial position.
“Ogundipe unilaterally sought to appoint a Professor into the University. This is the worst scandal in academia. He sent me a memo that I should approve that the Librarian becomes a professor. I am familiar with University systems. You just don’t become a Professor. You must go through the process and then it comes to the Council for confirmation.”
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However, last week, the University’s Senate and labour unions kicked against the Ogundipe’s sack by the Babalakin-led Governing Council on the grounds that the Vice-Chancellor’s removal contravened the University’s laid down procedures.
Also, the alumni association of the University of Lagos on Saturday called on the institution’s council to rescind the sack and follow due process.
