The Federal Government has directed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Lagos, Governing Council, Wale Babalakin, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties.
This is to allow the Special Visitation Panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to carry out its investigation.
It was gathered that the President gave the panel two weeks to submit its report.
The Federal Government’s directive was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Goong in Abuja on Friday.
The short statement read, “FG directs Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council of the University of Lagos, Dr. B. O. Babalakin and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. O. Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties, pending the outcome of the Special Visitation Panel set up by the President. Details shortly.”
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Also, The Next Edition learnt that the institution’s Senate was asked to reconvene to appoint an acting VC.
Recall that UNILAG’s Governing Council, headed by Babalakin removed Ogundipe at its meeting in Abuja on Aug. 12, over allegations of infractions and gross misconduct.
In his place, the council appointed Prof. Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences as the Acting Vice-Chancellor.
However, the institution’s Senate and all its workers unions condemned Ogundipe’s removal, saying it flouted the university’s regulations.
They all passed a vote of confidence on Ogundipe and vowed not to recognise the acting vice-chancellor.
Ogundipe, who insisted that was still the vice chancellor, urged the public to disregard news of his removal.
He also dragged the University, Babalakin and others before the National Industrial Court.
However, on Friday, his lawyers filed a Notice of Discontinuance in the case.
