Buhari constitutes special panel to investigate UNILAG crisis

• Ag, VC, Soyombo steps down

President Muhammadu Buhari has set up a special visitation panel to investigate the crisis at the University of Lagos and submit a report of their recommendations within two weeks.

Members of the panel are, Professor Tukur Sa’ad as Chairman, Barrister Victor Onuocha, member, Professor Ikenna Onyido, member, and Professor Ekanem Braide member.

Others are Professor Adamu Usman, member, Chief Jimoh Bankole member and Barrister Grace Ekanem to serve as secretary.

In a statement by the Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education Mr Bem Goong, Buhari directed the Pro-chancellor and chairman of council Dr Wale Babalakin and the Vice Chancellor Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to recuse themselves from official duties during the period of the visitation.

According to the statement, the special visitation panel is to review the step taken by the council leading to the removal of the vice chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and ascertaining whether due process was followed as stipulated in the universities Miscellaneous provisions amendment act 2003 and principles of fair hearing adhered to.

To determine whether the process, if any, leading to the appointment of the Ag. Vice Chancellor for the University was consistent with the provisions of the enabling Act.

The statement also noted that the committee is expected to make appropriate recommendations including sanctions for all those found culpable by the special visitation team.

It directed the Senate of the University of Lagos to immediately convene to nominate an acting Vice Chancellor from amongst its members for confirmation by the governing council; he or she shall oversee the affairs of the university pending Governments decisions on the report of the special visitation panel.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Omololu Soyombo, has stepped down immediately.

This followed the federal government’s directives that UNILAG Senate should nominate an acting VC pending the outcome of probe by the visiting panel.