There was violent protests by staff and students of the Obafemi
Awolowo University at the premises of an Osun State High Court in Ede
during the sitting of a court case involving former acting Vice
Chancellor Prof. Anthony Elujoba.
The students and staff of the University descended on perceived
enemies of Elujoba after the presiding judge, justice David Oladimeji
ordered the ex-acting VC to be remanded in Ilesa prison, pending a
ruling on his bail application set for July 19.
All entries to the court premises were barricaded after the court
ruling as the protesters expressed readiness to stand with Elujoba to
the end, blaming some cabal within the university community for the
travails of the ex-acting VC.
The resistance of the protesters however paid off as the court
reversed its earlier ruling with Justice Oladimeji adjusting Elujoba’s
bail application, by setting the delivery date to Friday, July 15 and
ordered him to be remanded in EFCC custody, instead of the prison as
earlier ruled.
Elujoba is standing trial along with the University Bursar, Mrs.
Aderonke Akeredolu on a 7-count charge bordering on conspiracy,
stealing, abuse of office and using position for gratification.
The pair were both arraigned following a petition alleging that
Elujoba, alongside the Bursar, diverted the sum of N1.4 billion from the
University’s Fixed Assets and Endowment Fund without approval from the
Federal Ministry and Governing Council of the University to pay some
unapproved allowances.
The former acting Vice Chancellor was also alleged to have paid
himself N7million (Seven Million Naira) furniture allowance, from the
amount.
