Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the embattled Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos got a boost in his attempt to reclaim the institution’s VC seat as the Senate of the University rejected the removal of the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor, by the Governing Council.
The move came as the sacked Vice-Chancellor engaged the services of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, to file a suit challenging his removal from office.
His letter of instruction dated August 12, 2020 and addressed to Ozekhome was sighted by The Punch on Thursday.
The institution’s top decision-making body, the Senate, in a resolution on Thursday, passed a vote of no confidence on the council led by Dr Wale Babalakin and called for its dissolution.
It also rejected the appointment of an acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Theophilus Soyombo, for the institution.
The resolution was signed by the Senate Chairman, Prof. Chioma Agomo, and five other members – Dele Olowokudejo, Oluwole Atoyebi, Folasade Akinsola, Lucian Chukwu, and Ayodele Atsenuwa.
The Senate said the action of the council was 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 expressed shock at getting the news of the removal through social media.
The Unilag Senate claimed that “due process was not followed in the purported appointment of the acting Vice-Chancellor as the body was neither informed nor invited to forward its recommendation to council.
“Its functions and its powers have been completely appropriated by the council in breach of the law.
