The
Economic
and
Financial
Crimes
Commission, EFCC, has formally
provided reasons why it invited the Vice-
Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo
University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Anthony
Elujoba and the Bursar, Aderonke
Akeredolu, for interrogation.
JUST EVENTS CORRESPONDENT
the duo were summoned to appear at the
commission’s zonal office in Ibadan.
Ayo Oyewole, the Head of Public Affairs,
EFCC Ibadan Zonal office told journalists
that the duo were invited for
interrogation for allegedly diverting
N1.4 billion.
He said that the EFCC had acted on a
petition it received that the duo diverted
the said amount illegally without
approval.
According to him, in the petition they
were alleged to have diverted the
amount without approval from the
Federal Ministry of Education and the
institution’s governing council.
“The said amount was used to settle
some allowances, out of which the VC
paid himself N7 million as furniture
allowance.
“He was also said to have paid others
varied allowances from the said
amount,” he said.
However, there was drama at the EFCC
office over the interrogation of the duo
as various associations from the
institution besieged the office in
solidarity with the VC and the bursar.
Among the associations were the
Students Union, Academic Staff Union of
Universities, and National Association of
Academic Technologists (NAAT), all of
OAU chapter.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
Universities, SSANU, and others were
also represented.
Niyi Sunmonu, the Caretaker Chairman,
ASUU, OAU said that the VC and others
could defend themselves, saying the VC
had done much in the interest of peace
for the institution.
He said the vice chancellor had in the
last five months of his assumption had
turned around the institution positively.
Ademola Oketunde, the SSANU
Chairman, OAU said that it was better
that Nigerians started addressing issues
objectively.
He said that the VC had run a
transparent administration to the extent
that everyone in the institution took him
for his words.
Mr. Oketunde said that the vice
chancellor had set up task forces to
investigate the activities of the
institution, out of which some had
submitted their reports.
“I hope these are not a ploy by some,
who might have the fear of being caught
to frame up the man.
“We are not here to prevent
investigation and we believe he will
come out clean. No one will allow his
head to be cut off,” he said.
Olusola Fadele, an official of the
Students Union, OAU said that they were
in Ibadan because they believed there
was no “fire without smoke’’.
“We were surprised to hear the VC was
being probed. We are not against people
being probed but not someone who has
achieved so much in five months.
“People like Professor Bamitale Omole,
who was alleged of gross
mismanagement was not probed by the
EFCC,” he said.
Similarly, Olusoji Adeyosoye, the Vice
Chairman, NAAT said that they had
come to solidarise with the duo as lovers
of peace and positive advancement of
the institution.
Mr. Adeyosoye said that the VC since he
came to office had been very superb in
terms of achievements for the
institution.
“The institution is having a good time
under his administration and such is
what we all craved for.
“He is transparent and we are sure he
will come out clean,” he said.
The VC and the bursar were still being
interrogated as at the time of this report.
0 Comments