ASUU-LASU Officials Appeal for Justice Amidst Dismissal Controversy
The Academic Staff Union of Universities-Lagos State University (ASUU-LASU) has been embroiled in a prolonged dispute involving the dismissal of five executive council members since 2017 and 2019.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a protracted dispute spanning years, five executive council members of the Lagos State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-LASU) have found themselves at the center of a legal battle. Dr. Isaac Akinloye Oyewumi, Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu, Dr. Anthony Dansu, Dr. Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan, and Dr. Oluwakemi Adebisi Aboderin-Shonibare were dismissed between September 2017 and September 2019 based on allegations leveled against them by the administration of Professor Lanre Fagbohun.
The cases of dismissal have lingered in the Appeal Court since their initiation in 2017 and 2019, raising concerns over the delay in achieving a final resolution. The issue gained renewed attention in 2021 when the new university administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, sought an out-of-court settlement for the cases. Subsequently, the University Governing Council, chaired by Sir David Sunmoni, reversed the dismissals and reinstated the five officers on February 23, 2023. This decision came following reports from two committees that exonerated the union leaders of the charges against them.
However, despite the council's resolution, the Lagos State Government intervened, instructing the University Governing Council to halt the implementation of its decision pending the release of the government's white paper on the 2021 LASU visitation panel. Over two years later, the release of this white paper is yet to materialize.
SEE MORE: Appointment of Rector Sparks Conflict Between Governor Adeleke and Osun Poly Community
Notably, figures central to the controversies, including Professor Lanre Fagbohun, the immediate past vice-chancellor, and Mr. Babatunde Said Olayinka, the current Bursar, have seen their positions unaffected despite their involvement in the visitation panel's investigations. Similarly, Mr. Olayinka Amuni, the former Registrar, who was suspended by the Governor, has been reinstated without any reference to the awaited white paper.
Dr. (Mrs.) S. Udegbe, who reached an out-of-court settlement with the university after her dismissal, has also been reintegrated into the system. However, concerns persist that the unresolved issue of the union leaders stems from personal agendas rather than genuine concerns for justice.
READ ALSO: LCCI Receives Approval from LASU to Commence Entrepreneurship Postgraduate Studies
With the matter dragging on for five to seven years, there is a growing call for decisive action from both the Lagos State Government and LASU authorities to bring an end to the prolonged controversy. The public is urged to join in advocating for justice, as the delay in resolving the matter equates to a denial of justice.
