CSOs ask Sanwo-Olu to establish panel to probe LASU crisis

Some civil society groups have called on Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, to establish a panel which will investigate the ongoing crisis at the Lagos State University (LASU).

The groups are Workbond International Network (WIN), United Action for Democracy (UAD), Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI), and All Nigeria Students Against Neo-Liberalism Attack (ANSA).

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, the coalition kicked against the reappointment of Adebayo Ninalowo as chairman of LASU governing council.

Kunle Ajayi of UAD, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said allegations of illegal dismissal, corruption and abuse of power levelled against the school management and its governing council require urgent probe.

He said the coalition had earlier protested to the state house of assembly to appeal for urgent intervention into the lingering crisis and  “premeditated attacks on leadership of ASUU-LASU as well as loyal academic staff”.

“A total of five out of nine Exco members illegally dismissed on this recommendations. He also recommended and secured warning for the financial secretary (Dr. Hamzt Edu) for commenting on a WhatsApp group of the university,” the statement read.

“We remain convinced that the Governor of Lagos who is the visitor to LASU has the responsibility of availing the public of the true position of the crisis in the institution by deploying his good offices to constitute a visitation panel as required by the University Statute.

“While we are hopeful Governor Sanwo-Olu will heed our call to set up a visitation panel as a matter of urgency, we however consider it apposite to alert the Governor and the general public that ongoing scheme aimed at returning some members of the University Council for another tenure of four years is indeed a betrayal of collective interest of the general public; particularly the stakeholders in the university.”