By Williams Anuku, Abuja
In another stunning move, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogindipe as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
The President, after studying details of the visitation panel report earlier sent to the institution, hinged his latest actions on the fact that Ogundipe ouster didn’t follow due process before he was unceremoniously removed from office.
He also ordered the immediate dissolution of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, headed by Dr Wale Babalakin.
All this followed the president’s approval of the report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos.
The seven-member panel, headed by Professor Tukur Sa’ad was set up by the federal government to probe the administrative crisis in the school after the governing council, led by Dr Babalakin announced the removal of Ogundipe.
The president, according to a statement, Wednesday morning by the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Bem Goong, said, “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.”
It reads, “Re: Report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos”, 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 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 a 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.”
