Babalakin’s Suspension: When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted By Femi Abiodun

On 12 August, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja, Dr. Wale Babalakin had cornered the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe in a meeting that led to Ogundipe’s removal as VC.

Babalakin who was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University of Lagos had laid a trap of allegations, accusing Ogundipe of misappropriation and misconduct of University funds.

In the meeting that had 12 council members in attendance, a vote was called for and a majority of the group voted for Ogundipe to be fired. And in the wake of Ogundipe’s removal the council appointed Prof. Theophilus Soyombo as the acting Vice Chancellor.

However, the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Universities in Nigeria (CVCUN) contested the sack, saying it was wrong and did not follow due process of the University system.

They also kicked against the appointment of Soyombo as acting Vice Chancellor: Unilag had 3 Deputy Vice Chancellors who were supposed to ascend to acting VC should the case arise, and Soyombo was not one of them. But Babalakin stood his ground, and said due process was followed.

On Friday 22 August, following a twist in the unfolding plot, a press statement was issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by their spokesman, Ben Goong. And in this press release, Dr. Wale Babalakin and Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe were directed to recuse themselves from official duties.

Also, Theophilus Soyombo, who was appointed by Babalakin’s council, was ordered to vacate his position as acting Vice Chancellor. A Special Visitation Panel was set up by the President to investigate the conflicts in Unilag.

And the president instructed the panel to look into the crisis hunting the University of Lagos and return a report of their recommendations within 2 weeks.

The panel of seven comprises: Professor Tukur Sa’ad (Chairman), Barrister Grace Ekanem (Secretary), Barrister Victor Onuoha, Professor Ikenna Onyido, Professor Ekanem Braide, Professor Adamu K. Usman, and Chief Jimoh Bankole. And one of their Terms of Reference is: “to examine the steps taken by the Council leading to the removal of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, and ascertaining whether due process was followed as stipulated in the Universities and the principle of fair hearing adhered to”.