Why EFCC May Prosecute OAU Acting VC

Dipo Kehinde|

Amid protest over investigations into the activities of the acting Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Anthony Elujoba, facts have emerged today showing that the hours spent answering questions at the Iyaganku office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not an academic exercise.

Students and unionists from OAU yesterday stormed the EFCC’s office in Ibadan saying that the VC had no question to answer.

But sources close to the investigation disclosed to Newsmakers today that Prof. Elujoba has a case to answer.

According to the sources, EFCC is investigating why N5.7million was spent by the VC in two months as furniture allowance instead of the sum of N240, 000 he is entitled to in that period.

Newsmakers learnt that Prof. Elujoba, who became acting VC in July 2016, has six months to perform in that capacity. And, he is entitled to a total of N720, 000 for that period, going by his letter of engagement that puts the allowance at N120, 000 monthly.

“He used his privilege as acting VC to spend, within two months, N5.7million meant for a substantive VC in four years. We see that as a fraud,” the source said.

Elujoba and the University Bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu spent time at the Iyaganku office of EFCC in Ibadan on Tuesday before they were released on bail.

The anti-fraud agency is investigating an alleged case of illegal and corrupt diversion of N1.4 billion.

They are acting on a petition that Elujoba allegedly diverted the sum 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 from which he paid himself the furniture allowance.

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