ASUU alleges victimisation of members in FUTO, LASU, EBSU

The University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged the victimisation of some of its members in some public universities.

NAN reports that Jurbe Molwus, the chairperson of UNIJOS ASUU, spoke at a news conference on Tuesday in Jos.

He accused the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo, Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyingba, and Ebonyi State University (EBSU) in Abakaliki of victimising lecturers.

Others also accused included Ambrose Ali University (AAU) in Ekpoma, the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Igbariam.

The chairperson alleged that some victimised lecturers had their appointments either illegally terminated or suspended.

He said some others were denied promotion or had their salaries withheld.

“At LASU, there has been a running battle against our union which manifested in the victimisation of some leaders,” Molwus said.

“Due to the unpatriotic actions of the state government, KSU Anyigba is today a shadow of itself. It has fallen short of the dreams of its founding fathers with our members being punished without any offence.

“At FUTO, the vice-chancellor has continued to punish our faithful members because of their patriotic stance against the illegal appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami to the rank of a professor.

“Our secretariat at COOU is under lock and key and our members are prevented from holding meetings. Their salaries have been withheld for over a year.

“Some of them have been suspended mainly because they are against the violation of academic standard in the university.

“In all of these, our members have suffered and still suffering untold hardship.”

Molwus said the continuous victimisation of ASUU members is responsible for the current brain drain in Nigerian universities.

The chairperson called on the judiciary to speedily dispense justice on matters concerning ASUU members currently before them.