Education rights group demands immediate reinstatement of sacked ASUU-LASU leaders

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has condemned the alleged attack and victimisation of some leaders of Lagos State University (LASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In a statement by Taiwo Soweto and Ibukun Omole, ERC national coordinator and secretary respectively, the group said Isaac Oyewumi and Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu, LASU ASUU chairman and vice chairman, were unlawfully dismissed.

Demanding their immediate recall, the group called on Nigerians to rise and check the “excesses” of Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the vice chancellor.

It asked for an independent panel to probe the allegations leading to the dismissal of the duo.

“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,” the statement read.

“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 three 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.

“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 withhunt 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.”

It said instead of their recall, the repression has gone from bad to worse with the authorities employing the services of the police to allegedly harass, intimidate, arrest and detain some of the victimise 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,” the statement read.

“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.

“Following their dismissal, the increasing use of police and other security agencies to harass and intimidate the victimise staff and all those who stand by them also shows that there is more to it than meets the eye.

“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.”