Governors of owner-states of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), are now at loggerheads over the sack of the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Babatunde Adeleke.
Similarly, an Osun State High Court in Osogbo has restrained the Oyo State Government from relieving Adeleke of his job.
Adeleke had filed a motion ex-parte in court to challenge his sack by owners of the university.
The court, however, granted Adeleke an interim injunction, restraining the defendants from suspending and or removing him from office pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Justice T. O. Awotoye, while granting the order, restrained the defendants from taking further action in the matter and fixed tomorrow for the hearing of the motion.
Adeleke, whose tenure expires later in the year, was last week directed by the Chairman of the university Governing Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, to proceed on terminal leave with effect from April 30.
The development is generating controversy between the two owner-states with Oyinlola rejecting the sack, insisting that he was not consulted before the removal of Adeleke, who hailed from his state.
Said Oyinlola: “I am a co-visitor of that university. Up till this moment, no one has informed me of any change of the vice-chancellor of that institution. Osun is not a junior partner in LAUTECH. No. We are equal partners and every step will be taken to protect Osun’s interest.
“This is not a matter between Oyinlola and Alao-Akala, it is a matter between Osun and Oyo states. I assure Osun people that we will be firm, focused and determined in fighting for our rights. I will pursue it legally and will follow due process in seeking what is just and fair for my people.”
In the suit, the VC sought, among others, an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants/servants, agents and or privies and/or anybody whosoever from suspending and/or removing him from office of the vice- chancellor pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Joined as defendants in the suit are Oyinlola and Alao-Akala, who are visitors to the university, Oyo and Osun State governments, the Governing Council Chairman and Attorney-General and Commissioners for Justice in the two owner states.
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