By Gbenga Abulude
Embattled Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin, on Thursday appeared before the Visitation Panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the management crisis facing the institution.
Buhari had on August 21 set up a Special Visitation Panel to look into the circumstances that led to the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
The President had also asked Babalakin and Ogundipe to step aside pending the outcome of the hearing.
A seven-member panel, headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad was mandated to conclude its report and submit recommendations within two weeks which started on Monday.
Babalakin appeared before the hearing chaired on Thursday.
After spending few hours before the seven-man panel he was set to have left the council chambers.
The press requested for comments on the meeting from Babalakin, but he declined to give details on the hearing.
“Nobody has spoken to the press since the Visitation Panel started. You know you are all my friends.
“I have made my presentation and that’s all. I have no comment,” he said before entering a black Utility Vehicle packed in front of the Council Chambers.
It was gathered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will appear before the panel by 2pm today.
The panel had began their sitting on Monday which lasted for four hours.
The embattled Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, appeared before the panel on Monday.
It was also gathered that 21
memoranda was dropped in front of the Council Chambers of the University.
Recall that the Governing Council of the University, led by Babalakin, at an emergency meeting held three weeks ago in Abuja had removed Ogundipe from office as the Vice Chancellor accusing him of gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office.
Ogundipe was replaced by
Pof Theophilus Omololu Soyombo as acting VC. The decision has sparked outrage among the Senate as senior officials of the University claimed Ogundipe was not given a fair hearing.
The presidency waded in by appointing Dr John Momoh, President of the UNILAG Alumnus Association and founder of Channels TV as Acting Chairman of the Governing Council after Babalakin and Ogundipe had been recused.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola was nominated as the acting Vice-Chancellor by the UNILAG Senate at an emergency meeting, on August 24, and she was confirmed by the Governing Council the next day during a virtual meeting presided over by the new acting chairman.
