The Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Osogbo, Professor Labo Popoola is facing a battle on the home front and several allegations have been raised against him.
This is indeed, not the best of times for Labo as he has felt the heat as he has in recent weeks been in the spotlight.
Authorities of the university was last week accused of ignoring a court order to reinstate and reintegrate six among the university staff who have been made to face ‘uncertain future’ since 2018.
The Vice Chancellor according to a source appears to have made up his mind not to allow the six affected workers to return to campus.
Some staff of the university under the aegis of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institution (NASU) approached the Federal High Court , Osogbo, Osun state a few days ago and filed a writ of mandamus.
The workers through their lawyer; Kanmi Ajibola accused Labo of allegedly misappropriating and embezzling N100 million belonging to the university.
They sought for an order compelling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute the Vice Chancellor.
Labo Popoola has also been accused of violating a court order to reinstate six among the university’s workers.
The university had on 23rd November 2018 brought 25 staff before Mr. O.T Badmus of the Osogbo Magistrates’ Court.
The 25 workers comprising principal officers of the institution’s Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) were accused of unlawful assembly.
They allegedly disrupted the university’s 2018 convocation ceremony.
19 among them were discharged on 14th August 2020 following a no case submission while the remaining six defendants who were asked to open their defence have also had the case against them dismissed on 7th October 2020.
Mr. O. T Badmus of the Osogbo Magistrates’ Court gave the order at the hearing of the case last month citing Section 346 ACJL of Osun state 2018.
He explained that the prosecution counsel had given excuse of taking permission from the state Solicitor General and had therefore had instances of halting hearing in the case.
When the case resumed on 7th October 2020, the prosecution counsel was absent in court hence the judge’s decision to invoke Section 346 ACJL of Osun state 2018.
Though, the prosecution counsel M. R Faremi walked in while judge was putting the finishing touches to his ruling , J.O Amole and V. I Arojo, who stood for the defendants; Adiat Kadir and five others called for the dismissal of the case , a request Mr. O.T Badmus eventually granted.
Some among the staff of the university told Global Excellence last week that the time allowed to file an appeal has since expired and that the Vice Chancellor has refused to take necessary steps to reintegrate the six workers into the university-Akinlolu Abayomi
