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Tag: Prof Olusola Oyewole

  • FUNAAB’s VC suspended over alleged fraud

    FUNAAB’s VC suspended over alleged fraud

    The Federal Ministry of Education has suspended the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, over alleged criminal charges against him by the Economic for Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    Prof. Oyewole was arraigned last November 24 at a State high court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by the EFCC over an alleged fraudulent handling of some of the university’s fund.

    But in a Letter dated May 5, 2017  titled: Suspension of the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and signed by Dr. Hussaini Adamu, Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry on behalf of the  Hon. Minister, the ministry stated that Oyewole should proceed on immediate suspension pending the “determination of the Court case” against him.

    The letter reads: “sequel to your arraignment before an Ogun State High Court on Criminal charges by Economic for Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Monday, 24th November 2016, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister’s approval to place you on suspension from office with immediate effect pending the determination of the Court case against you in accordance with extant rules.

    “You are therefore directed to hand over the affairs of your office to the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the university.”

    Responding, the University through the Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Emi’ Alawode (Mrs) said the institution is undergoing consultation to ascertain the true position of things.

    It added that upon conclusion of consultation, a “formal statement will be issued in due course.”

    “The Directorate of Public Relations, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has been inundated with inquiries on whether the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, has been suspended from office or not.

    “Consultations are in progress with the University Administration on the true position of things, while a formal statement will be issued in due course. Meanwhile, all normal academic and administrative activities are ongoing unabated, in the University,” Mrs. Alawode said.

     

  • FUNAAB: Senator Ogunlewe loses bid to quash charges

    FUNAAB: Senator Ogunlewe loses bid to quash charges

    Former Works and Housing Minister and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Senator Adesewe Ogunlewe, standing trial alongside the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, and Mr. Moses Olusola Ilesanmi, before Justice O.C Majekodunmi of the Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta lost his bid to quash the charges proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    Counsel to Ogunlewe, the first accused in the matter, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN),  leading other counsel  had approached the court earlier seeking to quash the charges against the first accused, Senator Ogunlewe, on the grounds that the charges are bad for misjoinder of offences,  misjoinder of offenders and for duplicity; that the proof of evidence produced by the complainant does not link the first accused with the aforesaid counts nor does it disclose any prima facie against the first accused person; and that the consent of the Attorney General of Ogun State/Law officer was not obtained as required by law before filing the charge.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter, after the adoption of the written addresses made by parties, Justice Majekodunmi delivered a ruling on the application before the court in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    All the grounds raised by first accused defence Counsel Team were dismissed.

    The prosecution Counsel, Dr. Ben Ubi thereafter sought for commencement of trial.

    He informed the court that there were three witnesses in court ready to testify but all the counsel to the three accused person sought for an adjournment on the ground that they were just been served additional proof of evidence and would need time to study the documents.

    The court conceded to their application and adjourned the case to March 8 and 9, 2017 for the commencement of trial.

    It would be recalled that the trio of Senator Adesewe Ogunlewe, former Works and Housing Minister and Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAB Prof. Olusola Oyewole, the Vice Chancellor and Mr. Moses Olusola Ilesanmi were arraigned on Friday, November 25, 2016 on an 18 -count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and abuse of office.

  • Court adjourns trial of FUNAAB VC, others to February 9

    Justice Olatokunbo Majekodumi of an Abeokuta High Court on Friday adjourned the trial of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Prof. Olusola Oyewole, till February 9.

    Oyewole, the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, and the Bursar, Moses Ilesanmi, are standing trial on an 18 count-charge of abuse of office, stealing and fraud to the tune of N409 million, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Majekodumi adjourned the matter, saying that the interest of justice demands time to get its facts to determine if the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the case or not.

    Counsel to Ogunlewe, Mr. Wale Adesokan, had brought an application seeking to quash his client’s name from the case, saying the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case.

    Adesokan said counts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 deal with stealing, while counts 12, 13, 14 and 15deal with abuse of office.

    He argued that that count 1 did not provide details of what they alleged Ogunlewe stole.

    He said, “The count does not disclose the amount of money which they said the accused conspired to steal.

    “Also counts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 alleged that the defendant stole and fraudulently converted certain sum of money.”

     

  • SSANU demands immediate removal of three VC’s

    SSANU demands immediate removal of three VC’s

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Vice-Chancellors of three universities in the country over alleged abuse of office, gross misconduct and corrupt practices.

    The Vice-Chancellor are: Prof Olusola Oyewole, Federal University of  Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Biyi Daramola, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Prof. Michael Adikwu, University of Ibadan (UNIABUJA).

    The National Vice-President of the union, Western Zone, Comrade Alfred Jimoh made the call Friday while addressing journalist at University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    He accused Prof Oyewole of sacking their members when he discovered that they were the ones that exposed his alleged high level corruption and abuse of office alleged to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “As at the last count, he has sacked twenty three (23) members of SSANU in FUNAAB without following due process and he is still threatening to sack more, yet he has not been able to disprove any of the allegations against him.

    “Also in FUTA, similar scenario is happening and Prof Daramola has been accused of corrupt practices and should be placed on suspension. At UNIABUJA, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adikwu has suspended the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU without even half salary, for daring to ask question about the ongoing maladministration in the university of Abuja.

    “To the best of our knowledge, Nigerians voted President Muhamadu Buhari into power for three major reasons out of which are: Fight Against Corruption, which had become a very deadly cancer that had eaten deep into the fiber of the Nigerian society is among. It is with this in mind that SSANU as a responsible Union in the highest echelon of Nigerian education sector, has chosen to exercise a lot of constraints and understanding with the government thus far, even in the face of serious pressure from its members at the branch levels, believing that President Buhari and his government meant well with this well thought out Three-Points-Agenda.

    “This was what made SSANU to openly key into the Anti-corruption war of the Buhari Administration vide its Communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, between 11th-12th August, 2016″.

    SSANU’s demands to  President Buhari includes;” The immediate and unconditional recall and protection of all SSANU members sacked by the rampaging Vice Chancellors (FUNAAB and UNIABUJA), Adequate protection for the lives, properties and job of all SSANU members particularly, the whistle blowers. The immediate removal of the following Vice Chancellors: (Prof. Olusola Oyewole-FUNAAB, Prof. Biyi Daramola-FUTA, Prof. Michael Adikwu-UNIABUJA). Reversal of all impunities committed by these Vice Chancellors against our members, including the ones which they use their compromised Councils to do under the guise of University autonomy. Autonomy does not include protection for impunity and thieves.

    “Immediate arraignment of the Vice Chancellors by the EFCC and ICPC. Immediate setting up of a special Visitation Panel to visit these Universities (FUNAAB, FUTA and UNIABUJA) and indeed any other universities where such infractions are found henceforth. The recovery of all the looted funds of the Universities and the prosecution of all the Vice Chancellors and individuals fingered for corruption.”

  • FUNAAB: Police arraign 50 persons over violent protest

    FUNAAB: Police arraign 50 persons over violent protest

     

    Fifty students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) were arraigned on Friday at a  magistrate court  sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for arson and destruction of properties.

    The peaceful campus of the institution and the adjoining communities had slipped into chaos last Thursday when a peaceful protest by the students turned violent.

    At least five persons – two students and three police officers, were said to have been injured when a detachment of policemen drafted to contain the highly incensed students, clashed with them.

    For over five hours, the students took to the Alabata road and Abeokuta – Ibadan road and helped by people suspected to be street urchins and miscreants, they set ablaze nine vehicles, vandalized scores of others in their trail.

    The church where FUNAAB Vice – Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole is the founder and General Overseer, and located few metres away from the Headquarters of the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), was not spared of the students’ wrath.

    The church’s window panes, doors and properties were vandalized. Worshippers’ and visitors’ vehicles packed at the premises of the church were also damaged.

    On Friday, the Police arraigned 50 persons in connection with the chaos and destruction. While 43 of the accused persons were charged in suit number, MA/429c/2016, the other seven were charged in a separate case with charge number, MA/430c/2016.

    But the offences for which they were all arraigned however remained the same.

    The Students who were ferried to the court in many Police vehicles were charged with arson, taking part in an unlawful assembly, riot and malicious damage of properties including a Toyota Camry Saloon Car belonging to one Assistant Superintendent of Police,  Ariyo Adejuwon.

    They were also accused of “willfully and unlawfully set fire to Osiele Police Station, property of Nigeria Police Force” and “willfully and unlawfully destroyed or damaged louvers property of Divine Height Bible Church Kotopo, Abeokuta.”

    The Police prosecutors, Sunday Eigbejiale and Emmanuel Kayode informed the court that the offences were committed at Camp Area of Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magistrate District.

    They also told the court that the offences are punishable under section 516(a), 443(a), 70, 71 and 451 of Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

    The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the offences.

    Bunmi Adelabu, one of the counsel, applied for their bail before Magistrate Sofowora Oriyomi, arguing that the accused persons are presumed innocent until otherwise proven by the court.

    The prosecutors opposed the bail applications.

    Delivering her ruling on the application, Magistrate Sofowora admitted the accused persons to bail with N100, 000 each with two sureties in the like sum.

    One of the sureties, according to the Court, must be a guardian or parent of the accused person, resident in Abeokuta, depose to affidavit of means while each of them must be a regular tax payers with evidence of tax payment in the last one year.

    Magistrate Sofowora also ruled that two passport-size photograph each of the sureties and the accused person be attached to the bail bond while the addresses of the sureties should be verified by the court ordeal.

    The case was however adjourned till September 29.