The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Owerri Zone has flayed suspension of its chairman, Dr Uzochukwu Onyebinama, by authorities of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in Abia State.
ASUU said the suspension was unnecessary. But Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hilary Edeoga, said the suspension of Onyebinama, as staff of the university was in line with rules guiding the university. He added that the suspension was based on recommendations of the committee set up to investigate allegations of examination fraud and misconduct levelled against him. He maintained that Onyebinama’s suspension had nothing to do with his role as ASUU chairman.
The union had at its congress resolved to take action against the university. The resolution was made known by the Owerri zonal coordinator of ASUU, Professor Ike Odumegwu, who lamented that the chairman was placed on half salary and banned from entering the campus.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Edeoga, Onyebinama did not wait for the outcome of the investigation before running to court.
“You don’t take the university to court, the rule says that if you are suspended you go on half salary,” he said.
The VC maintained that Onyebinama was guilty of examination fraud by awarding suspicious marks to students. He added that there were also allegations of incompetence and mismanagement against him as the Director of Continuing Education Center (CEC).
He said the problem started after Onyebinama was removed as the Director of CEC, adding, “They started writing all sorts of petitions even against the new Director, but I stood my ground that the right thing must be done.”
Professor Edeoga said the panel of investigation found Onyebinama guilty of dereliction of duty, abuse of office and deliberate breach of senate guidelines.
“In addition, the committee also found him guilty of insubordination, total disregard for constituted authority, inefficiency, negligence and dishonesty in the discharge of his official functions,” he said.
ASUU said the suspension was unnecessary. But Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hilary Edeoga, said the suspension of Onyebinama, as staff of the university was in line with rules guiding the university. He added that the suspension was based on recommendations of the committee set up to investigate allegations of examination fraud and misconduct levelled against him. He maintained that Onyebinama’s suspension had nothing to do with his role as ASUU chairman.
The union had at its congress resolved to take action against the university. The resolution was made known by the Owerri zonal coordinator of ASUU, Professor Ike Odumegwu, who lamented that the chairman was placed on half salary and banned from entering the campus.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Edeoga, Onyebinama did not wait for the outcome of the investigation before running to court.
“You don’t take the university to court, the rule says that if you are suspended you go on half salary,” he said.
The VC maintained that Onyebinama was guilty of examination fraud by awarding suspicious marks to students. He added that there were also allegations of incompetence and mismanagement against him as the Director of Continuing Education Center (CEC).
He said the problem started after Onyebinama was removed as the Director of CEC, adding, “They started writing all sorts of petitions even against the new Director, but I stood my ground that the right thing must be done.”
Professor Edeoga said the panel of investigation found Onyebinama guilty of dereliction of duty, abuse of office and deliberate breach of senate guidelines.
“In addition, the committee also found him guilty of insubordination, total disregard for constituted authority, inefficiency, negligence and dishonesty in the discharge of his official functions,” he said.
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