OAU senate wants to EFCC to stop harassing VC

The Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stop harassing the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, over the payment of allowances to staff of the institution.

According to a statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, the senate frowned at the invitation and questioning of Elujoba by the EFCC.

The governing body of the OAU said the VC did nothing wrong by paying allowances to workers of the university.

They said the payment of the allowances was approved by the Governing Council of the institution since May 2013, adding that Elujoba only implemented the decision of the council.

The senate said further that the VC’s decision to pay the allowances was what prevented another round of breakdown of law and order in the university because his decision calmed the frayed nerves of agitated members of various unions.

The statement said, “The N300,000 to the senior and N150,000 to junior staff became necessary in pursuit of the general powers and mandate of the acting VC as the chief security officer on the campus to maintain peace, law and order and to prevent loss of lives and property. Moreso, this similar allowance had been paid to staff in other universities under different names and titles.

“The payment of the said furniture allowance was statutorily approved by the Governing Council, Obafemi Awolowo University, at its meeting of May 9 and 10, 2013 without provision for any payment pro rata.

“By the appointment of the acting VC through a letter reference no.FEM/HE/CH/3C/II/403 by the government, the acting VC is entitled to the terms and conditions of this appointment including remuneration and fringe benefits as approved by government for VC of federal universities in Nigeria, including the said furniture allowance.  Hence, the payment was perfectly in order.

“In the light of the foregoing, the invitation already made was considered misplaced, embarrassing and it was patently a harassment of the senate and the university community. This should be stopped henceforth.”

Culled from www.punchng.com