UNILAG Crisis: Senate Passes ‘Vote Of No Confidence’ On Babalakin’s Council, Reaffirm Ogundipe As VC

The Senate of the University of Lagos, Akoka, has rejected the removal of Prof. Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe as Vice-Chancellor of the institution by the Governing Council led by Bolanle Wale Babalakin, SAN, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, the decision-making organ on Wednesday in Abuja removed Ogundipe as VC of UNILAG, accusing him of gross misconduct and acts of corruption, worldtopnewsng.com reports.

But in a meeting held on Thursday by 88 members and anchored by Chairman, Senate Emergency Meeting, Prof. Chioma Agomo, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, the institution’s Senate said the removal of Ogundipe was against UNILAG’s regulation, adding that the Council removed Ogundipe without giving him the opportunity to defend himself.

Other members of the Senate in the meeting are Prof. J. Dele Olowokudejo; Prof. Oluwole A. Atobayebi; Prof. Folasade B. Akinsola; Prof. Lucian I. Chukwu and Prof. Ayodele V. Atsenuwa.

They also kicked against the appointment of Prof Omololu Soyombo as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

A source told worldtopnewsng.com the Senate in its resolution, passed a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ on the Governing Council of the institution headed by Babalakin and call for immediate dissolution of the Council.

The Senate also passed a ‘Vote of Confidence’ in the embattled Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, a member, who attended the meeting, disclosed this to worldtopnewsng.com.

The Senate noted that:

“The action by the Council constitutes a violation of Section 3 (8), (9), (10), and (11) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003 on the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of any Federal University in Nigeria.”

“It was neither invited to participate nor did it participate in any Joint Committee of Council and Senate as required by law”

“It received the news of the removal of the Vice-Chancellor from office from the social media”

“The purported appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos breaches section 3 (8) (13) of the Act.”

“Due process was not followed in the purported appointment of the Acting Vice-Chancellor as the Seate was neither informed nor invited to forward it’s recommendation to Council.”

“It’s functions and it’s powers have been completely appropriated by the Council in breach of the Law.”

The Senate resolved to:

“Reject the purported removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS.”

“Reaffirm its confidence in Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.”

“Pass a Vote of No Confidence on the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, led by Dr. Bolanle Olawale Balalakin, SAN and calls on the Visitor for immediate dissolution of the Council.”

“Reject the appointment of Professor Theophilus Omololu Soyombo, as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.”