The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos Zone, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately reinstate five colleagues who were unjustly dismissed from their positions at the Lagos State University (LASU).
At a press conference held at LASU, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Coordinator of ASUU Lagos Zone, urged the governor to lift the embargo on the Governing Council’s decision to reinstate the dismissed members.
The five affected members are Dr. Tony Dansu, Adeolu Oyekan, Oluwakemi Aboderin, Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi, and Adebowale Suenu.
According to ASUU, the court ruled that the university authorities did not have the power to act against union officers in these cases, citing the Freedom of Information Act and other relevant laws. The union noted that both parties, being creations of law, are required to respect the law.
The statement highlighted that the dismissed union leaders sought legal recourse, supported by the ASUU national leadership, which also imposed sanctions on LASU.
Upon her appointment, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, along with the University administration and Governing Council, reviewed the issue of the disputed dismissals.
The Governing Council concluded that the dismissals were unjust and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the five ASUU officers on 23rd of February, 2022.
However, the University Administration was instructed by the state government to suspend the implementation of the Council’s decision, citing an ongoing review by the Visitation Panel.
The Panel completed its work in February 2022 and submitted its report in September of that year. Despite repeated appeals, Governor Sanwo-Olu has shown indifference and failed to release the White Paper from the visitation.
ASUU questioned the governor’s motives, asking what offenses the ASUU leaders committed against him and whose interests he is protecting by preventing their return to their posts.
The union also criticized the governor’s labor-friendly stance, citing the unjust deprivation of livelihood.
The union has reinstated sanctions against LASU, declaring Lanre Fagbohun a public enemy of ASUU and prohibiting all Union members from engaging with LASU or its staff until further notice.
ASUU has called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to immediately and unconditionally reinstate the five unjustly dismissed ASUU-LASU officials and release the visitation panel report without further delay.
