High-Handedness, Disobedience to Court Instructions, and Oppression: A Call for Accountability in Prof. Fatusi Adesegun’s Administration
It is often said that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. While many leaders have successfully avoided such pitfalls, the same cannot be said of Prof. Fatusi Adesegun.
Under his leadership, alongside Prof. Rose-Angela Nwumba DVC Academics, there have been recurring instances of blatant disregard for court orders and directives. If a court ruling does not align with their plans, they seem to dismiss it outright.
A notable example is the controversial removal of Prof. Adolphus Loto from the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) owing to Professor Loto’s petition against Professor Fatusi on alleged corrupt practices and failure to follow due process in procurement of contracts, goods, and services.
Despite a restraining court order, Prof. Fatusi and his allies allegedly manipulated UNIMED’s Council to proceed with what has been described as an unjust removal as the DVC, Administration, and Clinical Services.The case is now a pending subject matter at the National Industrial Court (NICN), Akure.
In November, Hon. Justice Akinbinu issued a stern warning against further proceedings related to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Registrar appointments. When the plaintiff’s counsel, Barrister Amuluku, informed the court that UNIMED had defied its directive by conducting interviews on December 2, the judge issued an interlocutory injunction. This order restrained UNIMED from proceeding with any further VC-related interviews and set aside the position of the Registrar-designate until the matter is resolved.
It is concerning that the selection process for both the VC and Registrar allegedly did not adhere to the due process outlined in UNIMED’s governing laws and extant regulations.
Prof. Fatusi’s actions give the impression of favoritism, particularly his alleged preference for appointing a non-indigene as the next VC, thereby undermining the competence of qualified individuals from Ondo State. Such an approach not only disregards due process but also insults the people of the state.
Prof. Fatusi’s administration is reportedly embroiled in numerous court cases, many of which are said to involve significant expenditure of the institution’s resources. These legal battles, instead of advancing the university’s objectives, appear to be attempts to suppress dissent and push through controversial decisions.
The underlying question remains: Why such a pattern of defiance? It seems these legal roadblocks serve as checks to prevent potential injustices, ensuring peace and fairness. Ignoring them risks fueling unrest and encouraging victims to resort to self-help, which could spiral into violence.
It is imperative that Nigerians remind Prof. Fatusi of the need to respect the rule of law. Ondo State is known for its peace-loving people, as evidenced during the last governorship election, which was devoid of violence. Such harmony must not be jeopardized by actions that could ignite discord.
Prof. Fatusi must abandon lawlessness and embrace transparency and accountability. Upholding the rule of law is not only a moral obligation but also a path to peace and prosperity for UNIMED and Ondo State.
Let wisdom prevail. A word is enough for the wise.
E-signed
Mr Love Olawumi
Coalition of Ondo State Indigenes.
N65M FOR ANNIVERSARY, MISCHIEVOUS, UNTRUE—UNIMED, Ondo denies allegation
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, has dismissed claims of plans to spend N65 million on the institution’s anniversary, describing same as untrue and unfounded.
According to a statement issued through the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Isaac Oluyi, the allegation by a union in the school and reported by an online media outlet, was described as “laughable and mischievous”.
Prof. Fatusi, “The publication is, at best, a distortion of facts and an uninformed portrayal of the significance of the university’s 10th anniversary. It is imperative to state that this approach of ‘calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it’ is becoming increasingly unbecoming.”
Prof. Fatusi emphasised that his financial acumen and dedication to transparency have enabled the university to achieve significant progress over the past five years. He criticised the allegations as not only strange but also a calculated attempt to discredit his leadership.
In his words: “It is unfortunate that a highly respected union within the university (SSANU) went to the press on this matter without first exploring internal mechanisms to understand the issues at stake. This smacks of ulterior motives, which may not be unrelated to attempts to attack the personality of the Vice-Chancellor.
“In fact, the accusation of financial recklessness is laughable, given that the same university, being unfairly criticised by certain mischievous individuals within the system, was recently recognised, celebrated, and rewarded for excellence by the Ondo State Government.”
Prof. Fatusi also criticised the media outlet that published the story, accusing it of violating the principles of balanced journalism. “The media outfit failed to seek the institution’s opinion on the matter, instead aligning with a mischief-maker eager to carry out a dirty job for the union,” he said.
Clarifying the matter, he added: “While it is false that the university is spending N65 million on its 10th anniversary, the public needs to understand that the celebration is aimed at showcasing the institution’s remarkable achievements and galvanising further support for its development.
“The university is, in fact, adopting a fundraising approach to finance the anniversary activities. It should also be noted that a significant portion of the budget is allocated to the development of the new campus, which will host the convocation ceremony.”
Prof. Fatusi highlighted that the land for the university’s permanent site was secured under his administration, which has been systematically developing the site to ensure operations begin there by the 10th anniversary. “This is a major step towards changing the narrative of UNIMED being the only government-owned institution in Ondo State not operating from a permanent site,” he added.
He concluded: “The 10th anniversary is not a jamboree. It is an innovative initiative to further develop the university, carried out with the full support of the Governing Council.”
