LAGOS
Less than 48 hours after the Governing Council of Lagos State University (LASU) approved the reinstatement of five sacked Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU-LASU leaders, it has nullified the decision on the order of the Lagos State Government.
Our correspondent learnt that the state government allegedly ordered the Sir David Sunmoni-led Governing Council to meet again and revert its earlier decision to reinstate the sacked five ASUU-LASU officials.
The governing council had on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at a meeting accepted and approved the recommendations of the Appeal Committee to reinstate the sacked five union leaders.
The five ASUU-LASU leaders were sacked in September 12, 2017 and September 17, 2019 by the Professor Adebayo Ninalowo-led Governing Council and under the administration of Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun.
Among those sacked include ASUU-LASU chairman, Dr. Akinloye Isaac Oyewumi; vice chairman, Dr. AdebowaleAdeyemi-Suenu; secretary, Dr. Anthony Dansu; assistant secretary, Dr. Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan; and treasurer, Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Shonibare. They were dismissed for alleged misconduct.
It was gathered that the council met virtually for less than 30 minutes and revoked its earlier approval to reinstate the sacked five union leaders.
According to a member of the council, the state government said the governing council did carry it alone in taking the decision to reinstate the sacked five lecturers.
The governing council was asked to wait for the outcome of the visitation panel to LASU, which is still preparing its report for submission to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as visitor to the university.
The fate of the sacked five ASUU-LASU leaders now hung in the hands of the visitation panel recommendations on their case, which they also presented to the panel earlier on during itssitting in LASU.
Investigation revealed that the state government decision did not go down well with loyalists of the sacked union leaders while the other camp are happy about the position taken by the state government.
Before the governing council decision, the ASUU-LASU fivesacked leaders went to court to challenge their dismissal.
After their sack, another faction allegedly sponsored by the former university management emerged but were disowned by ASUU national via a letter to the then vice chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun.
When journalits contacted LASU Governing Council chairman, Sir Daivd Sunmonu, he asked our correspondent to call the university information unit on the reasons to halt the reinstatement of ASUU-LASU leaders.
His words: “You should meet our media group. All official communications with the university are through the appropriate channel. We have communicated the reasons to our media channel, you can contact them. I am sure you know the process.”
The acting head, LASU Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR), Mr Adekoya Martins, told journaliststhat he doesn’t have any information to our enquiry.
“I don’t have any information. I was not part of the governing council meeting. I was expecting the council decision to be given to me, I have not seen any,” Martins stated.
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