There
might be trouble in the air as the EFCC has summoned the acting
Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof.
Anthony Elujoba, and Bursar over a N1billion allowance.
Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba
The acting Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, and Bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu,
have been summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over
the payment of an ‘unapproved’ hazard allowances to the institution’s
workers.
It was gathered that the allowances paid to the academic and
non-academic staff totalling over N1bn were sourced from the
university’s endowment funds account, which is usually dedicated for
projects.
However, the spokesperson for the university, Mr. Biodun Olarewaju,
argued that the specific fund used in paying the allowances was not
attached to any project in the account. Also, the anti-graft agency is
investigating certain allowances earmarked for the office of the VC.
The invitation was confirmed in a letter sent to the university on
Monday. The letter, signed by Mr. Oseni Kazeem of the Southwest Zonal
Office of the commission in Ibadan, Oyo State, advised the invited
officers to come along with necessary documents, Punch reported.
The letter reads in part, “The office is currently
investigating a case in which there is the need to obtain clarification
from you. In view of the foregoing, you and your bursar are requested to
report to our office for an interview.
“You are also to come along with the following documents: the
salary payment schedule/any other payment made to senior staff and
junior staff in August and September, 2016; payment vouchers relating to
furniture allowances paid to the VC from the day he assumed office to
date; certified true copies of the monthly salary pay slips of the VC
from the day he assumed office to date.”
When contacted on the telephone on Monday, Olarewaju said the
payment of the allowances should not be tagged as misappropriation.
He said, “The acting VC has been invited by the EFCC to come
and make some clarification and as a law abiding citizen, he will
attend. Afterwards, we will know what to do.
“The fund used to pay the allowances cannot amount to
misappropriation. The said money was not attached to any project or
anything. It was just in the account. And, of course, when the life of a
member of the staff of the university was threatened by those who are
agitating for the payment, the acting VC had to save the situation by
paying the allowances to douse the tension.
“You will agree with me that, since then, there have been peace
on campus. It was not that the money was in that account for a
particular project and was diverted. The issue of misappropriation does
not arise here.”
It was learnt that upon resumption of office, the acting VC paid
hazard allowances to the workers after continuous protest and unrest in
the university.
It would be recalled that the hazard allowances were a major reason
why members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and the
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities at the institution
protested against the former administration headed by Prof. Bamitale
Omole.
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