The Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has on Wednesday announced the removal of the institution's vice-chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, appointing Prof. Theophilus O. Soyombo in an acting capacity. The sack was after crisis between Ogundipe and the governing council brewed over infractions and gross misconduct allegations, resulting in an emergency meeting by the council at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja led by the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN).
In a statement by the Registrar and Secretary of the Council, Oladejo Azeez, the council said the removal of the VC was following investigations of abuse of office, misconduct among others.
"Ogundipe was sacked based on investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.
"The general public is hereby notified that at an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, and in accordance with the statutory powers vested in it by law, the Governing Council of University of Lago removed Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, from office as Vice Chancellor of the university with immediate effect.
"The decision was based on council’s investigation of serious acts of wrongdoing, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office against Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS."
Meanwhile, Ogundipe has denied his removal, adding that he remains the VC of UNILAG.
Some of his supporters like the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of UNILAG has condemned the sack alleging that Babalakin plotted Ogundipe's removal.
Prof. Soyombo's appointment was announced on Thursday in a statement by Azeez, saying "Members of the public are hereby advised to totally disregard the statement attributed to the said former vice-chancellor. The position remains that he was lawfully removed by the Governing Council at a meeting fully attended by all Council members.
"I also wish to use the opportunity to inform members of the public that Council at the said meeting duly appointed Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos as Vice Chancellor of the university in an acting capacity.
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