Posted by Osun State College of Education Provost Jimoh Afolabi was suspended and an immediate investigation into the matter has been mandated by Governor Ademola Adeleke. Afolabi is located in Ila-Orangun in Osun State.
The Governing Council of the institution, which is headed by Peter Babalola, reportedly suspended Afolabi due to accusations of embezzlement, as reported by HEALTHYSPOT101
According to the statement, the Provost is being suspended so that the charges against him can be thoroughly investigated. He is also accused of trying to thwart the Governing Council’s efforts by hiding documents.
A vote of no confidence was passed on you after a number of infractions were leveled against you at the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, 21st November 2023. You are invited to appear before the Governing Council’s Investigative Panel in response to these allegations. The letter with Reference NO. OSSCE/LR/GCIP/001/1, dated 3rd January 2024, is relevant to this matter.
Accordingly, at its meeting on Monday, 8th January 2023, Council deliberated the necessity of suspending you from carrying out the duties of your office pending adequate investigations into the allegations made against you, in light of the aforementioned developments.
“Based on the information provided, and in line with the College Edict’s Section 32.3 (a&b) provisions, you have been temporarily removed from your position until your case is definitively resolved,” the letter stated.
In the statement, it was ordered that Afolabi immediately evacuate the college premises and turn over to the Deputy Provost any college property that was in his possession.
Further, he could not access the college or its facilities without a formal invitation from the Governing Council.
On the other hand, Olawale Rasheed, a spokesman for Adeleke, released a statement on Tuesday directing the governor’s chief of staff to head up an investigative committee.
A crisis resolution meeting between the school management and the Governing Council was hosted by the Committee, which includes the Secretary to the State Government and Commissioner for Education among others, he said.
Adeleke ordered the committee to investigate the controversy and make sure the situation was resolved amicably in response to accusations and counter-accusations between the College Provost and the Chairman of the Governing Council.
Several claims and assertions made by Ila Orangun College of Education have reached my desk. I have also been apprised of the dispute that has arisen between the college Governing Council and the school administration. It is now the responsibility of the Committee to convene a meeting of the two factions.
The Committee’s job is to look into everything, including potential financial misdeeds on the part of the College, and then come up with a system of complete transparency and responsibility.
A strong punishment awaits those found guilty of financial mismanagement, corruption, or any other form of misconduct. I make it clear that I will not protect anyone, no matter how powerful they are.
The statement ended by stating that the group is anticipated to provide a report to the governor with its findings and recommendations within two weeks.