Edo varsity workers write Okpebholo over VC, Registrar’s alleged corruption  

Staff members of Edo State University Uzairue have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo regarding the ongoing administrative crisis involving the institution’s suspended Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, and Registrar, Mr. Habib Ekhalefo, over allegations of corruption, high-handedness, and non-compliance with due process.

The staff members said that the two suspended officials allegedly ignored the suspension administered to them by the University Governing Council on November 4, 2024.

The letter, copied to the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Chairman, Education Committee, Edo State of Assembly, claimed that despite explicit instructions to relinquish their roles to other officials, the suspended Acting Vice Chancellor and Registrar have refused to comply.

According to the letter, these actions have created a climate of fear, with reports of threats and intimidation against employees who adhered to the Council’s directives.

Their refusal has led to tension within the school community.

The letter read, “Several staff members have allegedly been targeted with unlawful disciplinary measures, including queries and threat to withhold their salaries and setting up Kangaroo Disciplinary Committee, to try them for carrying out lawful instructions from the Council”.

The members alleged that nearly 100 appointments have been made by the Acting Vice Chancellor without adhering to due process and efforts underway to hurriedly confirm the appointments.

The members called for immediate intervention by the governor to enforce the suspension orders and restore stability at the young institution.

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They warned that failure to address these issues immediately could lead to the loss of valuable academic personnel, who are already leaving the system.