UNILAG crisis deepens as Senate rejects removal of Ogundipe

• Senate demands fair hearing

The Senate of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Thursday rejected the removal of Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council, reports Gentechnews.

The council chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Wale Babalakin, had Wednesday in Abuja voted to sack Ogundipe as VC of UNILAG on allegation of gross misconduct and acts of corruption.

However, in a twist, a meeting held on Thursday by 88 members and anchored by Prof Chioma Ago, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, the institution’s Senate said the removal of Ogundipe was against UNILAG’s regulation, insisting that the Council’s removal of Ogundipe without the opportunity to defend himself lacks merit.

They also protested against the appointment of Prof Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice Chancellor of UNILAG.

Prof. Ago said “Part of the condition for the removal of a Vice Chancellor is that a joint committee of the Senate and Governing Council must sit and investigate with three representatives from each side but the Senate was never represented, the Senate was never consulted, the Senate never knew the allegations against their member.

“The removal of Prof Ogundipe did not follow the Act establishing the university. He was not given fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself.

“The Senate, therefore, rejects the removal of Prof Ogundipe and the appointment of an Acting VC,” a member, who attended the meeting, had said.