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Unilag vs Ogundipe: Sacked VC writes Ozekhome to begin legal fireworks
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was sacked on Wednesday by the Governing Council of the University has written to the Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Mike Ozekhome to institute legal action against the University Management immediately.
In a letter which was sighted by CAPITAL POST in Abuja and addressed to Mike Ozekhome Chambers, titled: “Instruction to institute legal action against the Council and Pro-Chancellor and others of the University of Lagos Akoka” , he said, he was illegally removed from office, hence the lawyer should commence action.
In a followed up statement which Mike Ozekhome Chambers issued on Thursday, said he would challenge the management of the University of Lagos over the sack of his client, alleging that his sack was in breach of all known laws.
The statement reads: “The Council headed by Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, had allegedly sacked the very hardworking VC at an emergency meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, on 12th August, 2020.
“The VC is saying that the Council breached all known rules of natural justice and section 36 of the 1999 Constitution in purportedly removing him as VC, as he was never heard at all, or ever made to face any panel or Committee to defend himself against allegations of his alleged unauthorised expenditure of University funds leading to his purported removal from office.
“It will be recalled that even the House of Representatives had on 17th August, 2019, completely exonerated him of any wrongdoing after hearing from both the Babalakin-led Council and Prof Ogundipe.
“Breaking News yesterday had highlighted that journalists and cameras were already positioned at strategic places at the NUC before the emergency meeting in what was believed to have been a premeditated done – deal.
The Vice Chancellor was observed by journalists leaving the venue of the meeting with another Council member, Prof Bola Oboh, when they protested in vain that the main issue for discussion at the emergency meeting was not the VC’s investigation or removal which was item 5 on the agenda.
“It is believed that even the representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Prince Adetokunbo Adebanjo had also protested the proceedings, and voted against the VC’s removal by WhatsApp message as was directed by Dr Baba Lakin.
“One of the issues in contention apart from denial of fair hearing is that the voting process was fundamentally flawed as votes of those who voted against the VC’s removal like Prince Adebanjo were allegedly not counted.
“The Unilag Act available to us makes it clear that the VC must first be tried by a joint Committee of the Senate and Council before any recommendation for his removal is sent to the Council for debate and action.
“Even then, the Council cannot remove him without the Senate first concurring, all of which were said never to have taken place at all.
The Registrar of the University and Secretary to Council, Oladejo Azeez, Esq, had immediately published a “Notice to the General Public on the Removal of the Vice Chancellor University of Lagos”.
Kogi State Police Command has called for cancellation of rally organized by the Constituents of the Central Senatorial District to host Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement sent to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said it became operative for the scheduled to be put off, citing security threats.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Isah Jibrin (Echocho), has condoled families who lost their loved ones in the windstorm that rocked Itobe and other communities in Ofu Local Government Council.
Saddened by the devastation of the rainstorm that led to death of two persons and destruction of properties worth millions of naira, the lawmaker said, the victims wouldn’t be left alone at this trying period, stating that everything possible would be done to mitigate their pains.
In a statement issued by the Media and Communications office of the lawmaker on Monday said, his attention has been drawn to the incident even as he is out of the country, but will offer his personal contributions in cash and in kind towards alleviating the suffering of the victims during his visit to the affected communities upon his arrival.
He stated that attention of relevant government agencies will be drawn through a motion which he will sponsor when the Senate reconvenes from Sallah and Easter break to the natural disaster with a view to quickly provide succour for the victims and resettlement of displaced households.
The lawmaker said, he was aware that over 500 residents in communities of Itobe, Adumu, Itagidi, Oladebu, Ajegwu, Ofoke and others in Ofu Local Government Council were left homeless in the first rain disaster, adding that the disaster wasn’t their making.
“I shall offer my personal palliative for immediate succour to the victims as soon as I am back in the country.
“Also, I assure the victims that I will sponsor a motion that will draw attention of relevant government agencies to mobilise materials and resources to mitigate their pains, especially those rendered homeless as a result of the disaster.
Senator Isah Jibrin, further called on the National Metereological Agency to do a wider publicity on the signals and looming dangers of windstorm for citizens to be properly informed and to take caution.
Kogi State government has banned rallies and crowd related reception in the State, citing security challenges.
This was even as the suspended female Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was billed for homecoming on Tuesday 1st April, 2025 which a grand reception was reportedly planned by her constituents.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commisioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo and obtained by CAPITAL POST on Monday in Lokoja, it cited security concerns and stressed that the State Government was committed to safety of lives and properties.
The statement said, the ban on convoys entering the State and any form of public gatherings was a proactive step to nip in the bud, breach of security as intelligence reports available to the State Government was indicative of looming crisis.
It said, the State government has just quelled crisis in parts of Kogi Local Government Council in the Western Senatorial, saying that government was committed to ensuring peace across the entire State.
Part of the statement said: “In light of credible intelligence reports, the government has deemed it necessary to take proactive measures to prevent any form of security breach that could destabilize the state.
“It is heartwarming to note that the State witnessed a peaceful Sallah, however some security threats are threatening the peace of the State. In Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West, fishing activities have resulted in serious crisis, leading to the loss of two lives.
“All fishing activities in Kogi Local Government Area is hereby suspended until peace is completely restored. Security operatives have been deployed to the affected areas to restore peace and implement our directive.
“Also, in Ankpa Local Government Area, specifically in Enjema District, a communal clash between Ika-Odele and Ika Ochala is threatening the peace of Kogi East.
“The State Government has deployed security to also calm the situation to avert further loss of lives and property.
“The ongoing peace meeting between the two communities as facilitated by the State Government must be sustained.
“In Kogi Central, intelligence at our disposal point to the fact that some elements are planning to stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations. This is to create a platform for wanton destruction and breakdown of law and order.”
Meanwhile, Natasha’s homecoming invitation which has already gone wide showed that the reception was to be held in her honour on Tuesday.
CAPITAL POST recalled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months by the 10th Senate for allegedly breaching Senat3mStandinb Rules.
She also accused the Senate President,Godswill Obot Akpabio of sexual harassment and while she had attended the Interparliamentary Union, IPU in Geneva to speak on her harrowing experiences in the Senate.
At the time of filing this report, no statement has emanated Natasha’s media minders in response to the ban issued by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo government.
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