Former Vice Chancellor accused of corruption gets bail

The accused persons are facing a seven-count charge bordering on fraud, conspiracy and abuse of office.

Earlier, the accused were remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.

The judge, David Oladimeji, granted Mr. Elujoba bail on self recognizance while Ronke Akeredolu, the former bursar, was granted a N50 million-bail and two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must be academic and high-ranking officers within the institution.

The judge, however, condemned the attitude of the staff and students of the institution in Ede on July 11, where the case was first heard.

That day, irate students and workers of the institution staged a protest and compelled the judge to reverse an order sending the former vice chancellor to prison custody.

They insisted he be remanded in an EFCC custody, a demand the judge later agreed to.

Justice Oladimeji said such an attitude could prevent the court from granting a bail to the accused, noting that the bail was granted in the interest of justice.

The accused persons were arrested on July 5.

The EFCC counsel, Festus Ojo, had told the court that the accused committed the offences while serving as the vice-chancellor and the bursar of the institution.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the judge adjourned the case until October 27 for hearing.

OAU Staff, Students Hold Justices, Lawyers Hostage Over Ex-VC

There was mild drama when staff and students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, held the Federal High Court hostage over the continued detention of former vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Anthony Elujoba.

They decried the court order which ordered Elujoba to be returned to prison custody.

When the case came up on Tuesday, hundreds of workers and students stormed the court premises with him insisting that Elujoba be freed, but instead a former VC of the OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole, be tried and remanded.

They also blocked all the entry and exit routes to the court where the bail application was heard.

Both justices, lawyers and other court workers were held hostage by the protesters.

During the proceeding, the defence counsel, Ibrahim Lawal, argued that retaining Prof. Elujoba in detention would amount to an infringement on his freedom of movement.

After hearing from the two counsels, Justice David Oladimeji, explained that it would be difficult for him to deliver the judgment this week.

He also stated that his vacation commences by end of the week, but the defence cousel pleaded that a date should be fixed.

Justice Oladimeji said, “This case is hereby further adjourned by agreement of counsels till Wednesday, July 19, for ruling on bail application. The two defendants shall be remanded in the Ilesha Prison pending the delivery of the ruling.”

Earlier, the staff and Students the OAU unanimously declared a shut down of the institution over the arraignment of their ex-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Elujoba.

They said the closure was in solidarity with Prof. Elujoba who was arraigned and kept in custody over alleged misappropriation of N1.4 billion.

Elujoba on Friday appeared at the Federal High Court sitting in Ede, Osun State over his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

The former acting VC appeared in court today for hearing of his bail applications.

It would be recalled that Elujoba was summoned by the EFCC alongside the university’s bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, over the payment of the ‘unapproved’ hazard allowances to the institution’s protesting workers.

Lecturers Protest Arraignment Of Former OAU VC

Lecturers at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) on Monday protested the arraignment of the former acting vice chancellor of the school, Professor Anthony Elujoba.

Professor Elujoba was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged involvement in financial misappropriations.

The lecturers embarked on a peaceful demonstration on Monday around the campus in solidarity with a former acting vice chancellor, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Free Elujoba” and “Elujoba is innocent, we demand his release”.

The protest was led by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), OAU chapter, Dr. Niyi Sumonu.

He told reporters that the action was to identify with Professor Elujoba whom the lecturers said was innocent of all the charges levelled against him.

The union acknowledged the efforts of the EFCC in beaming its searchlight on financial happenings in the school but claimed that the real culprits were not been tried.

Professor Elujoba was arraigned on Friday, July 7 by the anti-graft agency on seven counts bothering on financial misappropriations.

Although he was remanded in EFCC custody, his bail application hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 11 before Justice David Oladimeji of the Osun

I enjoyed dancing and reading –Dania, OAU first class graduate, who broke record of 28 years

Eunice Dania set a record at the Department of Physical and Health Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife when she made first class; the first time in 28 years, despite being a dancer who performed at different events regularly. In this interview with TUNDE AJAJA, the 25-year-old, who also made Distinction in her Master’s programme, talks about her days in school and the level she’s taking her dancing passion to

The basic understanding many people have about Physical and Health Education is the one they did in primary school. What does this course entail at the tertiary level?

Physical and Health Education is deeper than the layman’s definition of it. It is a subject matter that touches every aspect of life. Through involvement in activities, individuals can develop themselves mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. It helps individuals to make meaning of the world around them and think critically by exploring health-related and movement contexts. It also takes a preventive approach, rather than a curative one, towards the incidence of diseases. It entails the mechanics and analysis of movement (biomechanics), socialisation (sociology), understanding of the structures and functions of the human system (anatomy and physiology) and the study of mental practices (psychology) towards promoting purposeful and goal-directed movement for healthy living (kinesiology).

You must have had deep interest in the course to have first class in it, was it the course you had always wanted?

I wanted to study International Relations but I was given Physical and Health Education. I decided to take up the course, but I sat the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination again hoping to change to drop the course. I realised the course was more than I had perceived it to be, so I began to love it and I stuck with it. However, I had the plan to have first class but it didn’t come easy, especially from Obafemi Awolowo University, and a department that had not produced a first class in 28 years. It was challenging but I was able to overcome the challenges through prayer, hard work, discipline and determination.

How many of you had first class in your department?

I was the only one in my set.

How would you have felt if you didn’t make first class?

Although, it is not the determinant of success in life, I still would have been devastated because of the efforts I put into it.

Would you know if there was anything people didn’t do for those 28 years that you did?

I don’t think I did anything that had not been done before, so I really cannot say why it was difficult and my department had the best lecturers I can think of. But as I said, I prayed, worked hard and smart, avoided procrastination, attended lectures, read my books and gave my best. Every individual has their own style and pace of learning. I had to take the time to figure out what worked for me, recognise and improve on my weaknesses and capitalise on my strengths; always ready to know more and constantly seeking ways to improve on myself. I have never been comfortable with ‘average’. I believe that has always been the reason why it’s either I give my best to something or I don’t attempt it at all. Excellence and greatness have a price; they never come easy. It involves working hard and smart, discipline, faith, determination and commitment. These principles have always been my watchword and applying them without any second thoughts has always worked for me.

Were there things about your growing up that prepared you never to settle for average or it has to do with personal decision?

All thanks to God and my parents who gave me the needed support (advice, discipline, encouragement and memories). Growing up was fun and memorable. Those memories cannot be forgotten, because they came along with several experiences, lessons and values which have helped