[ODUNEWS] January 22 – The Senate has summoned the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, in connection with an alleged attack, conspiracy, and victimisation of a senior female lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Dr. Adenike Ogunshe.
The directive was made by the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions at a panel hearing in Abuja. Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Chairman of the Committee, stated that Ogunshe had sent a petition to the Senate, requesting reinstatement after her appointment was terminated by the institution almost seven years ago.
In her petition, Ogunshe asked the Senate to compel the university officials to comply with a court order ordering her reinstatement. The lecturer argued that her dismissal had deprived her of her salary.
The lecturer stated that the termination of her appointment had cost her the potential to become Nigeria’s first female professor of microbiology. As a result, she encouraged the Senate to interrogate the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University. At the previous panel meeting, the committee chairman read a portion of her appeal in which Ogunshe claimed there was a grand plot against her.
“This woman asserted that the institution engaged in a massive conspiracy against her person, career, and existence as a result of the contentious appointment of one Dr. Onilude as Acting Head of the Department between 2005 and 2006,” Akinyelure said.
“She requested that the Senate look into the matter and, among other things, urge the University to stop further victimisation, dehumanisation, and physical assault against her.”
“She also urged us to investigate the controversial appointment of Dr. Onilude as Professor at the University of Ibadan, which remains contestable. Dr. Adenike A.O. Ogunshe and the authorities of the University of Ibadan were invited to appear before the committee on December 7, 2021.
“Dr. Ogunshe appeared and made a presentation while a representative of UI, Barr. Adegoke Adekunle told the committee that he came to request another date to enable the university to make a presentation.”
Akinyelure expressed disappointment that multiple requests to university officials to testify before his panel had gone unanswered.
He stated that if the Vice Chancellor fails to appear in person before the panel at the next meeting, the Senate may impose appropriate sanctions on him.
“We are warning the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan to respect the Nigerian Senate as a crucial democratic institution,” the senator continued. This woman would have been Nigeria’s first professor of microbiology, but she was rejected.
“If the authorities of the University of Ibadan fail to appear before the Senate this week and explain why this woman should not be reinstated, we would recommend sanctions against the institution.”
“The woman went to court to challenge her termination of appointment, and the court voided the action of the university.”
“The authorities did not appeal against the verdict or apply for a stay of execution five months after the verdict was delivered.”
“The VC should respect the laws of the land by obeying the judgement of the court and reinstating the woman. Failure to do so would amount to contravening the Nigerian constitution.”
Akinyelure further explained that the sanction on the institution would include withholding of funds to the premier university.
He said, “The Senate might not hesitate to direct the Federal Ministry of Finance to stop releasing money to the authorities of the University of Ibadan to fund its 2023 budget if they failed to obey the laws of the land.”
“On this note, therefore, the Senate is inviting the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan to come and throw light on the actions being taken to reinstate the woman who would be the first professor of microbiology in Nigeria.”
