The Management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), has issued a statement condemning the purported appointment of Prof. Stephen Obekpa Abah as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The Governing Council also opposed the action of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir S. Gwarzo, whereby he ordered the re-instatement of the suspended erstwhile Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Ujah.
According to the statement, the appointment of Prof. Abah, circulated on social media on November 5, 2024, stems from an unauthorized and illegal meeting orchestrated by the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Innocent A. O. Ujah.
The university clarified that the notice for the meeting was issued using the letterhead of the suspended Vice-Chancellor, bypassing the established protocols, specifically the role of the Registrar, who is responsible for issuing notices for Senate meetings.
The Registrar, who is the official Secretary of the Senate under the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (Establishment) Act of 2022, was neither aware of, nor present at the meeting, which underscores its illegality.
The statement also clarified that Prof. Ujah’s actions, including his attempt to forcefully enter the G.R.A, Otukpo Campus with armed personnel, were thwarted by coordinated security measures.
Despite being denied access to the campus, Prof. Ujah, it was reported, accompanied by armed individuals, managed to convene a small gathering at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Otukpo, where the fraudulent meeting took place.
This group later issued the false statement about the appointment Prof. Stephen Abah, alleged to be answering to a criminal case at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Governing Council affirmed that Prof. Innocent A.O. Ujah remains suspended from his position and as such, has no legal authority to summon Senate meetings.
The Council further emphasized that Prof. Ediga Bede Agbo is the legally appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor and that his position remains intact.
The Council condemned the actions of Prof. Ujah and his associates as a violation of university governance, which has caused unnecessary distress within the university community.
They urged all staff, students, and members of the community to disregard any claims made by Prof. Abah and to continue their academic and administrative duties as usual.
It would be recalled that following the suspension of Prof. Ujah, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Gwarzo wrote a letter to counter the action.
The Governing Council however, issued a rebuttal, insisting that Prof Ujah stands suspended and can not therefore preside over a senate meeting, talk less appoint his own successor.
It is also contended that according to Section 2 (1)-(3) of the Universities Miscellaneous Act 2003:
“(1) The Governing Council of a university shall be the supreme governing authority of the university and shall be responsible for the general direction and superintendence of the university.” As such, the Council contends that a letter by the Permanent Secretary, Education can not invalidate the decision of the Governing Council.
“The directive from the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education amounts to undue interference in the activities of the Council and an attempt to usurp the powers of the Council and emasculate it,” it was stated.
“The permanent secretary has suggested that the former Vice-Chancellor should be reinstated to restore peace on the campus. It suggests that he knows of a threat to peace, which is not manifest since the campus has not only been peaceful but jubilant since the former Vice-Chancellor was suspended. The Permanent Secretary may need to be held accountable for any breach of peace,” it was contended in another statement.
“The permanent secretary has failed to carry out a situation analysis of the university, so he is completely unaware of the loud jubilation that greeted the suspension of the former vice-chancellor,” it was concluded.
