The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNILAG Chapter, has condemned the purported removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe by the Governing Council of the institution.
Chairman of the chapter, Dr Dele Ashiru, said that the council lacked the powers to do so.
“We are following the development. We are aware that the Council relocated to Abuja to meet. The Council does not have the constitutional powers to sack the Vice-Chancellor. We will react appropriately when things become clear,” Vanguard quoted him as saying.
Prof. Ogundipe has rejected his removal.
The Herald reported that 12 members of the council sitting in Abuja removed the VC on Wednesday over alleged wrongdoing.
While seven members reportedly voted for his removal, four voted against and one voted for him to be placed on suspension.
Article 17 of the University of Lagos Act 1962 states that the Pro-Chancellor and other principal officers of the institution can only be removed by the Visitor to the university, who is the President of Nigeria.
“If it appears to the Council that a member of the Council (other than an ex-officio member) should be removed from office on the grounds of misconduct or inability to perform the functions of his office, the Council shall make a recommendation to that effect through the Chancellor to the Visitor and if the Visitor, after making such enquiries (if any) as he considers appropriate, approves the recommendation, he may, by any instrument on writing signed by him, remove the person in question from office,” the law states.
First Schedule 4 (8) of the Act states,” The Vice-Chancellor may be removed from office by the Visitor after due consultation with the Council and the Senate acting through the Minister of Education.”
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