By O’Zik
On the 6th of July, 2017, Obafemi Awolowo University erstwhile Acting Vice-chancellor, Professor Anthony Elujoba was arraigned before the Oshogbo high court, sitting in Ede, on a seven-count charge. The suit was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.
Professor Elujoba appeared before the court with his hands handcuffed.
Professor Elujoba wasn’t the only one who appeared in court but also in court was Mrs Josephine Akeredolu(Obafemi Awolowo University Bursar).
The 7-count charge levelled against OAU’s erstwhile Acting Vice-chancellor and OAU Bursar includes – conspiracy to commit felony to wit contrary to section 316 of the criminal laws of Osun State, 2003;Stealing, contrary to section 390 of the criminal code laws of Osun state, 2003;Abuse of office, contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal code laws of Osun State, 2003;Abuse of office, contrary to section 104 of the Criminal code laws of Osun State ;Stealing, contrary to section 390(9)of the criminal code law of Osun state;Conspiracy to commit gratification, contrary to section 26(c)of the Independent corrupt Practices and other related offences act, 2000, and ;Using position for gratification, contrary to section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt practices and other related offences Act,2000.
The particulars of the alleged offence committed by Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu contained in the suit filed against them by EFCC on behalf of the federal government are:
1.Alleged conspiracy to commit felony ;
2 . That Prof. Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly converted the sum of #5,777,595.00k belonging to OAU for furniture allowance;
3. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly deposited the sum of #108,508,378.21k, property of Obafemi Awolowo University into a fixed deposit account with WEMA bank plc without following due process;
4.That Between August and September 2016, Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly with the intent to defraud deposited the sum of #9,939,719.86k into a fixed deposit account with WEMA bank Plc without due process ;
5.That Prof. Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly converted to their own use #300,000.00k belonging to Obafemi Awolowo University to be their productivity bonus ;
6. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu distributed the sum of #1,060,725,000.00k to OAU staff as productivity bonus , and ;
7. That Prof Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu allegedly conferred unfair advantages to themselves and colleagues to the tune of #1,060,725.00k which was purported as productivity bonus.
However, reactions have trailed the detention of Prof Elujoba as some persons feel that he is been punished for doing the right thing.
A student of Obafemi Awolowo University,Adekunle, in an interview with one of our correspondents had this to say :
“Prof. Elujoba is a good man and one of the best Vice-chancellors OAU has ever had. I feel he did the right thing by paying OAU staff the money owed them. We were on strike, and we were on the verge of wasting an academic calendar, I do not see any wrongful spending in paying allowances of university staff “
Another student who pleaded on the grounds of anonymity had this to say,” Prof Bamitale was accused of corruption, yet he wasn’t treated this way. I don’t think he was even taken to court. What kind of country are we? This man(Prof. Elujoba) did nothing wrong as far as I am concerned .Paying staff allowances isn’t wrong and come to think of it, he saved us from another crisis. “
We would recall that Prof Elujoba and Miss Akeredolu were invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office in Ibadan a while back for quizzing as regards the payment of OAU workers’ allowances, salaries and arrears.
Professor Elujoba and Mrs Akeredolu are to appear before the Oshogbo state high Court,sitting in Ede,on the 7th of July, 2017.