These are not pleasant moments for the former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Anthony Elujoba, this is because he was few days back remanded in Ilesha Prisons after the bail application was dismissed.
Justice David Oladimeji of the Federal High Court in Ede, Osun State, ruled that Mr. Elujoba be remanded till July 19 when the case will be brought for hearing.
The former VC is standing trial on a seven-count charge of alleged corruption and abuse of office involving some N1.4 billion.
He is standing trial alongside the bursar of the university, Josephine Akeredolu.
But workers of the university see Mr. Elujoba’s trial as “victimisation”.
Two lecture-free days declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in solidarity with Mr. Elujoba penultimate Tuesday.
Workers of the university protested the decision of the court to send the embattled professor to prison.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU, locked down the court gate as the ruling was being handed.
No one was allowed to leave the premises of the court at the time of this report.
The workers demanded the judge withdraw his ruling, and authorise the former vice chancellor be kept in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The ordeal of the acting Vice Chancellor started when The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has invited him and the Bursar, Aderonke Akeredolu, for interrogation.
Shortly before they honour the EFCC’s invite, Ayo Oyewole, the Head of Public Affairs, EFCC Ibadan Zonal office told journalists that the duo were on their way to the EFCC’s office sequel to an invitation extended to them. He added that this revolves around allegation of 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.
Additional report from NAN
