The Concerned Idoma Unity Forum has raised concerns about the process leading to the suspension of the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Prof. Innocent UjaH, and the appointment of Professor Ediga Agbo as the acting Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council of the institution.
The group expressed surprise that the Governing Council did not follow the stipulated guidelines in the University Act regarding the removal of a substantive Vice Chancellor.
However, a press statement by the Coordinator of Information, Publication and Public Relations for the Registrar, Mr. James Onogwu, indicated that Prof. Ediga Agbo emerged as acting Vice Chancellor during a special meeting of the Governing Council held on October 17, 2024.
The statement noted that the emergency meeting was chaired by Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council. During the meeting, the Pro-Chancellor announced the suspension of the pioneer Vice Chancellor for alleged gross misconduct and disregard for the Council’s authority.
In a separate press statement, the Chairman of the Concerned Idoma Unity Forum, Mr. Agada Johnson, criticized the suspension of the pioneer Vice Chancellor, stating that it was orchestrated by the chairman of the Governing Council and was not in the best interest of the University and the Idoma nation, as due process was not followed.
He explained that Section 2AAA of the University Act, passed by the National Assembly in 2003, stipulates that a Vice Chancellor can be removed by the Visitor after due consultation with the Council and Senate, acting through the Minister of Education.
Johnson further explained that the Vice Chancellor can be removed on grounds of misconduct or inability to discharge the functions of the office, through a proposal for removal, and that a joint committee of the Council and Senate should be constituted with three members—an action that he claimed was not taken in this case.