EFCC TAKES ELUJOBA TO COURT ;ELUJOBA APPEARS IN COURT HANDCUFFED

By O'Zik

On the 6th of July, 2017, Obafemi Awolowo University erstwhile Acting Vice-chancellor, Professor Anthony Elujoba was arraigned before the Oshogbo high court, sitting in Ede, on a seven-count charge. The suit was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.

Professor Elujoba appeared before the court with his hands handcuffed.

Professor Elujoba wasn't the only one who appeared in court but also in court was Mrs Josephine Akeredolu(Obafemi Awolowo University Bursar).

The 7-count charge levelled against OAU's erstwhile Acting Vice-chancellor and OAU Bursar includes - conspiracy to commit felony to wit contrary to section 316 of the criminal laws of Osun State, 2003;Stealing, contrary to section 390 of the criminal code laws of Osun state, 2003;Abuse of office, contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal code laws of Osun State, 2003;Abuse of office, contrary to section 104 of the Criminal code laws of Osun State ;Stealing, contrary to section 390(9)of the criminal code law of Osun state;Conspiracy to commit gratification, contrary to section 26(c)of the Independent corrupt Practices and other related offences act, 2000, and ;Using position for gratification, contrary to section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt practices and other related offences Act,2000.

The particulars of the alleged offence committed by Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu  contained in the suit filed against them by EFCC on behalf of the federal government are:
1.Alleged conspiracy to commit felony ;
2 . That Prof. Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly converted the sum of  #5,777,595.00k belonging to OAU for furniture allowance;
3. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly deposited the sum of  #108,508,378.21k, property of Obafemi Awolowo University into a fixed deposit account with WEMA bank plc without following due process;
4.That Between August and September 2016, Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly with the intent to defraud deposited the sum of #9,939,719.86k into a fixed deposit account with WEMA bank Plc without due process ;
5.That Prof. Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly converted to their own use #300,000.00k belonging to Obafemi Awolowo University to be their productivity bonus ;
6. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu distributed the sum of #1,060,725,000.00k to OAU staff as productivity bonus , and ;
7. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly conferred unfair advantages to themselves and colleagues to the tune of #1,060,725.00k which was purported as productivity bonus.

However, reactions have trailed the detention of Prof Elujoba as some persons feel that he is been punished for doing the right thing.
A student of Obafemi Awolowo University,Adekunle, in an interview with one of our correspondents had this to say :
"Prof. Elujoba is a good man and one of the best Vice-chancellors OAU has ever had. I feel he did the right thing by paying OAU staff the money owed them. We were on strike, and we were on the verge of wasting an academic calendar, I do not see any wrongful spending in paying allowances of university staff "

Another student who pleaded on the grounds of anonymity had this to say," Prof Bamitale was accused of corruption, yet he wasn't treated this way. I don't think he was even taken to court. What kind of country are we? This man(Prof. Elujoba) did nothing wrong as far as I am concerned .Paying staff allowances isn't wrong  and come to think of it, he saved us from another crisis. "

We would recall that Prof Elujoba and Miss Akeredolu were invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office in Ibadan a while back for quizzing as regards the payment of OAU workers' allowances, salaries and arrears.

Professor Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu are to appear before the Oshogbo state high Court,sitting in Ede,on the 7th of July, 2017.

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EFCC SUMMONS OAU's ACTING VC, PROTESTS FOLLOWS

Protesting Union members

By Omole Isaac(O'Zik)

On the 13th of December, 2016, the Acting Vice-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University honored the invitation extended to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Office, had sent a letter to the Acting Vice-chancellor of the School and the School's Bursar(Mrs Aderonke Akeredolu) in the first  week of December, inviting them for quizzing as regards allegations of the mismanagement of over #1bn naira.
The invitation came as a result of the petition sent to EFCC by certain persons claiming that the Acting Vice-chancellor of OAU diverted a sum of  #1.4bn meant for Projects to pay workers' allowances and other purposes without approval from the Ministry of education and the institution's governing Council.

The Acting Vice-chancellor and the Bursar of Obafemi Awolowo University while in EFCC premises being interrogated on the allegations levelled against them, Unions on OAU Campus were in front of the premises protesting the invitation of Prof. Elujoba for interrogation.
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Non-academic Staff union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, and Students Union were present raising placards as a means of protest against what they refer as the "Wrong interrogation of Prof. ELUJOBA".

In an interview with our correspondent, A member of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, OAU, Mr Abu A. L. Adamu had this to say :
"Before now, the unions(SSANU, NASU)  have written to EFCC on double deduction of PenCom, two-step differentials and 15%.These petitions have been forwarded to EFCC severally but was not acted upon by the agency until the last administration who are the perpetrators of the offence left.
The Acting VC who has come to redeem the masses of the University and he set up a task force to investigate all monies that are being owed and this monies were not paid into TSA.
The money the Acting VC used in paying Workers' hazards allowances was discovered in a domicile account operated by the last Vice-chancellor, Bursar and Registrar.
We even have information that there are some hidden accounts somewhere operated by the last administration led by Prof Bamitale Omole... "

SSANU chairman, Mr Oketunde while granting interview with our correspondent had this to say :
We were reliably informed that EFCC summoned the Acting Vice-chancellor, Prof. Elujoba, for questioning and when we got to know about that-we feel it is expedient of us to show our displeasure.
The Acting Vice-chancellor has done nothing wrong as a matter of fact, the money he used to pay staff hazards allowances we learnt was lying fallow somewhere earmarked for nothing.
He has been doing very well and that is why we are here. We will ensure that he is not detained. EFCC's action is a wrong step in the wrong direction.  Funny enough, we have forwarded several petitions to them as regards the deduction of pencom, two-step differentials, and 15% and nothing was done..."
The Electoral Commission Chairman of OAU Students Union, Mr Fadele Olusola had this to say :
"We are here for no other reason but to stand by our Acting VC who has been like a messiah to us. First, he de-proscribed our union, renovated hostels, running a smooth academic calendar, paying staff money as at when due, visiting hostels et al.  In fact, he has done things that the last administration couldn't do. So, we feel that EFCC is taking a wrong step because we know that our VC has done nothing wrong. We will not leave this place until our VC is released.. "

Some members of the unions Posited and clamored that the last administration led by Bamitale Omole be probed.

We reliably gathered that the Acting Vice-chancellor forwarded letters to the school's Chancellor and Minister of Education before disbursing the said #1.4bn.

At around 9pm,we were reliably informed by our sources that Prof Elujoba has been freed on the grounds of administrative bail.

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ANUNSA-OAU PRESIDENT WADES INTO THE FINANCIAL CLAIMS SAGA BETWEEN DR. AFOLABI B. S AND A.Y SUG

Akingunola Joel Opeyemi(President,ANUNSA-OAU)

ANUNSA

By Omole Isaac.

The President of the All Nigeria United Nations Students and Youths Association(ANUNSA, Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter, Akingunola Joel Opeyemi, has expressed his opinions on the recent financial claims saga rocking the University.
In an extensive interview with one of our correspondents, Mr Akingunola had this to say as regards the financial claims saga:
" The case should be carefully looked into as "corruption" is one of the major issues hindering many African countries from achieving the collective target set by the UN for member countries to hit by 2030. All parties should get the facts straight and appropriate consequential action be taken based on the discovered facts."

Mr Akingunola also examined the issue as regards its effect(s) on the reinstatement of  OAU's Students' Union where he opined thus :

This issue(The financial claims saga) should in no way hamper the smooth process of granting the legal rights of students to collectively protect their interests. The process preceding the election should in no way be stopped or delayed as several cases of social injustice, insecurity and others are common place ever since the union was proscribed. "

Both issues should be addressed simultaneously and none should hinder the other.

It would be recalled  that on the 22nd of October 2016, the Vice-Dean of the Division of Students Affairs, OAU, made it known at an event which held on OAU's soil that the last administration of the suspended Students' union were allocated 2.5million naira by the University's management which they expended in just three days.

The claim by the Vice-Dean has been countered by the immediate past Financial Secretary of the union. He  alleged that Dr. Afolabi's statement was nothing but false,this he did in a public release issued and signed by him (Olajide Adeyanju Ayodeji).

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NUC CANCELS PRE-DEGREES, DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES IN UNIVERSITIES; SET TO REVIEW CURRICULA

By Omole Isaac.






Pre-degree and diploma programmes in Nigerian universities have been scrapped. The National Universities Commission (NUC), which took the action, instructed them to leave the running of such programmes for polytechnics and concentrate effort on producing human capital in the core undergraduate, part-time and post-graduate courses.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, gave this order at meetings held between October 10 and 12 with vice chancellors of the 143 universities in the country, according to a statement by the NUC yesterday.

He also directed that the research directorate of NUC be strengthened to work with those of universities. This is to co-ordinate research activities in universities and ensure relevance of their outputs. He said the NUC, would engage a mix of old, experienced and young vibrant academics to come up with curricula that would not only be dynamic and responsive to national needs, but also conform to global trends.

Source : The Guardian newspaper

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OAU's Division of Students' Affairs invalidates Faculties congresses/Election as regards selection of candidates, Orders fresh congresses

By Omole Isaac

The Division of Students' Affairs of the Obafemi Awolowo University has on the 6th of September invalidated the results of Faculties congresses/Elections that occasioned the emergence of persons who are regarded as representatives from their faculties - And are expected to meet with the Division of Students Affairs and the Vice-chancellor to discuss modalities for the 'deproscription'  of the OAU Students' union.

According to a reliable source who was in the meeting between selected representatives from faculties and the leadership of the Division of Students' Affairs , the Acting Dean of the Division of Students' Affairs frowned at the fact that Faculties went ahead to conduct congresses or elections that produced Representatives who are supposed to become members of the soon-to-be-constituted Electoral commission and Election Petitions Committee when the Union is reinstated. The Acting Dean, Dr(Mrs)  Akinola, stated that she made it clear in the meeting she had with Faculty Presidents last week that each faculty should present two representatives that will meet  with the Vice-chancellor to discuss how to reinstate the union-however, the representatives from each faculty may become members of the electoral committee and Election petitions committee. She further expressed her disappointment at the way certain faculties conducted congresses and elections that produced their representatives; she even hinged on the fact that certain facilities had their nomination process flawed with irregularities.
Our source also mentioned that one of the Representatives elected from the Faculty of Social Sciences told the Acting Dean that it would be wrong for another nomination process be done and that it looks more like the Division of Students' Affairs wants to impose her decisions on students. It was also on record that some persons at the meeting claimed they were not properly informed.

The most paramount resolution of the meeting is that "Faculties should conduct another nomination process (Congress or Election) come 15th of September 2016 where two representatives will emerge from each faculty, one representing each faculty in the electoral commission of the soon-to-be-reinstated-union and another in the election petitions committee. And the nomination process of each faculty begin at exactly 4pm on the said date simultaneously. However, observers from school security unit and DSA will be on ground to monitor the nomination process "

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Ogun State Students Association Election and the drama behind results of the election.

On the 28th of August 2016, the members of National Association of Ogun State Students (OAU chapter) chose executives who are to lead them for the 2015/2016 academic year.

The election held at    Awolowo hall, precisely around Awolowo hall Warden's office(behind Awolowo hall TV room).
Students belonging to the Association came to the venue of election and had garnered themselves.
Around 5:30pm, the Electoral committee chairman, Mr. Oyewusi Rasheed and the General Secretary for the Committee, Mr Isola Azeez decided that a congress be held before the start of voting.
Congress held between 5:30pm to 6pm. However, the issue of whether the election be postponed or not was raised at the congress but most congresspersons voted that the election hold without any postponement.
By 6pm, candidates aspiring for different positions reeled out their manifestos and that ended 6::45pm.
Before the start of voting proper, issues were raised as regards the mode of identification for voters but that was resolved. However, the electoral committee claimed that it informed all members of the the Association to come with their local government certificate and other genuine means of identification for voting 
Voting started at exactly 6:48pm and lasted till 7:51pm - counting of votes begun in earnest.
At around 8:30pm, electoral committee of the Association were through with counting and they announced the election results as follows :
PRESIDENCY:
Olaniran Teslim(@tessy):27votes.
Bello TOSIN(Miracy):32votes
Void votes : 4votes.
VICE-PRESIDENCY:
Salisu Bukola Shakirat(Bukky) : 39votes.
Babatunde Elizabeth :20 votes.
Void votes : 4votes.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
Adedigba Wasiu: won unopposed with more than two-thirds of the votes cast.

General Secretary :
Sadeeq Abimbola : won unopposed with two-thirds of the votes cast.

Reacting to the development, the Financial Secretary-elect in a chat with Radar news network correspondent had this to say :
"I am very happy I won. As a matter of fact I was quite scared."
Speaking on the emergence of a lady as President-elect, the financial secretary-elect opined, "I feel the  position of Presidency should be for a male because men are naturally seen to have the capacity to act but now that a female has emerged ,I would try my possible best to ensure that we work together for the best of the Association and for a smooth administration".

The swearing-in ceremony for the newly-elected executives is billed to hold on the 4th of September, 2016.

Below is the image of the president-elect for National Association of Ogun State Students, OAU chapter :

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ON NYSC MOBILIZATION FOR OAU STUDENTS :OAU's Senate gives August 12 as deadline for departments and faculties to submit students' results...

By Omole Isaac

The Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University has given until Friday, August 12, 2016 for Heads of Departments (HODs) to send in the results of their 2014/2015 graduating students for approval.
In an internal memo by the Deputy Registrar, Mrs M. I. Omosule to HODs, a grace of few days has been given to all departments and faculties to complete the processing of the graduating students was stipulated.
“The University has a grace period of about two weeks to complete the processing of our graduating results to enable us meet the deadline for submission of same to the Division of Student Affairs for NYSC mobilization.
“In view of the above, all Heads of Departments are hereby requested to please forward all graduating results to Senate Division for presentation to the Committee of Deans on or before Friday, 12th of August, 2016 for further processing.” the August 8 memo reads.

It should be noted however that some departments and faculties are yet to complete the processing of results for their students.
Reacting to the Senate's decision, a graduate of OAU, who identified himself as Sunday had this to say, "Is it possible?  Because as for me, I am yet to be summoned for defence. And some of my results for second semester last session have not been released".

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"Is it really the dawn of a new era" as OAU's Acting Vice-chancellor inspects renovation works in hall of residence??? "

It is indeed something that has happened not too often on OAU campus in recent times for a Vice-chancellor to start the renovation works of structures in hostels and inspect them himself.

The simple fact is that the current Acting vice-chancellor for OAU has begun renovation of certain structures in the school (hostels especially) in less than a week of his assumption of office.
And it is quite amazing that he has been supervising and examining the level of progress of these renovation works himself.
Today, he was spotted inspecting renovation works in Moremi and Awolowo halls of residence.

It is quite obvious that from the activities of Prof. Elujoba Anthony that OAU is on the verge of reclaiming it's lost glory.
The simple question is "is Prof. Elujoba the 'messiah' OAU has been looking for in recent years??"

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