• ERC Calls for an Independent Panel of Inquiry into the Allegations and
Processes Leading to the Dismissal of Dr. Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi and Dr.
Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu – respectively Chairman and Vice Chairman of ASUU LASU
PRESS STATEMENT
The Education
Rights Campaign (ERC) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the un-abating
witch-hunt and politically-motivated victimization of leaders of the Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU LASU) and other unions at the Lagos State
University (LASU) by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun.
The attacks
directed at ASUU LASU in the past few months have been most vicious and the aim
is undoubtedly to destroy the soul of the union. At the moment, out of an
8-member executive of ASUU LASU, two (the Chairman and the Vice Chairman) have
been unlawfully dismissed, three others have been queried while plans are in
the works to victimize the remaining 3 officials as well as past executives.
This state of affairs is unacceptable and it is high time students, staff,
parents and Nigerians rose up to call Prof. Fagbohun to order.
The Education
Rights Campaign (ERC) is opposed to the harassment, witch-hunt, victimization
and all attacks on democratic rights on-going in LASU. We demand the immediate
and unconditional recall of Dr. Isaac Oyewumi, Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu
(respectively Chairman and Vice Chairman of ASUU LASU) and all politically
victimized staff in LASU.
We also demand an independent panel of inquiry composed of
representatives of the labour movement, professional groups, alumni
association, parents and students to look into the whole crisis including the
allegations and the processes leading to the dismissal of two ASUU leaders, Dr.
Isaac Oyewumi and Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu as well as other cases of
with-hunt and politically-motivated victimization ongoing in the University.
This independent panel of inquiry is crucial now. Otherwise, the developing and
un-abating clampdown on unions and union leaders could throw LASU into another
needless and avoidable crisis.
Recall that on
the 19th day of November 2017, the ERC issued a public statement demanding the
recall of the Chairman and Vice-chairman of ASUU LASU, Dr. Isaac Oyewumi and
Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu. Since then, the repression has gone from bad to
worse with the authorities employing the services of the police to harass,
intimidate, arrest and detain some of the victimized staff leaders.
Also the
General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer of ASUU LASU have
also been queried for allegedly maligning the image of the University. Whereas
what the trio have done to the consternation of Prof. Fagbohun and his kitchen
cabinet is to continue to stand by and campaign for the recall of their
victimized colleagues.
The crime for
which these union leaders are being victimized is their opposition to the
illegal appointments, brazen violation of University rules and impunity of the
University administration. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fagbohun, together with
his kitchen cabinet and following the autocratic tradition laid down by the
Obafunwa-led administration, wants to run the University like a military
barrack where no voices of dissent are tolerated.
Unlike what the
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, would have the public believe, the
dismissal is not an effort to rid LASU of corruption and nepotism but a grand
plot to cow the unions on campus using dirty means including slamming on their
leaders false allegations in order to portray them as criminals.
This is why the
processes leading to the dismissal of the union leaders were marred with
irregularities and manipulation in violation of the principles of natural
justice. Following their dismissal, the increasing use of police and other
security agencies to harass and intimidates the victimized staff and all those
who stand by them also shows that there is more to it than meets the eye.
This method of
calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it is not at all new. As the public
would recall, it was similar method of persecution of staff union leaders
together with anti-poor policies of fee hike which the previous administration
of Prof. Obafunwa embraced that threw LASU into needless crisis and turmoil
years ago. This was exactly the same manner Prof. Obafunwa orchestrated the
withdrawal of the PhD of the then ASUU Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris just
because ASUU was openly critical of his various undemocratic and anti-poor
policies including the fee hike which was imposed on students then. As it was
then, so it is now. The public should therefore not be surprised if the ongoing
repression is connected with a subterranean plan to increase fees in the
University.
Conclusively,
we call on well-meaning Nigerians, trade unions, human rights organizations,
alumni and other concerned groups to call on the Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun-led
University management not to throw LASU into another needless crisis and to
openly support the demand for an independent panel of enquiry on the
allegations against the ASUU leaders.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto Ibukun
Omole
National Coordinator (07033697259) National Secretary
