By CHARLES IWUOHA

Solicitors to the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have refuted claims that the VC, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, suspended the Chairman and Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) FUOYE branch, for opposing him.

The law firm described the claims as misleading and a calculated attempt to damage the standing of the Vice-Chancellor and the university.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Head of Chambers (Litigation), Oluwatosin Adesioye, Esq, on behalf of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and CO.

The statement, a copy of which was made available toNews Express, reads: ?We serve as Solicitors to Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (the Vice-Chancellor) on whose behalf we act in respect of an online publications on the above.

"Our attention has been drawn to the said publications under reference titled ?FUOYE VC, Fasina Suspends SSANU Chairman, Secretary For Opposing Him? which falsely alleges that the Vice-Chancellor personally suspended two members (the Chairman and Secretary) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University, Oye-Ekiti branch (SSANU-FUOYE Branch) for opposing his activities in Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (the University).

"It is the narrative from the said publication that the Vice-Chancellor carried out the said suspension exercise after SSANU had accused the Vice-Chancellor of sexually harassing and victimizing the University?s staff members.

"Again, the contents of this recent media campaign of calumny against the Vice ? Chancellor is yet clear evidence that detractors are obsessed with maligning the image and integrity of the Vice-Chancellor.

"We issue this rejoinder to categorically refute this claim as entirely false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to damage the standing of the Vice-Chancellor and the University.

"For clarity and interest of truth, it is on record that the Governing Council of the University (?the Governing Council?), under the leadership of its Pro-Chancellor, met to consider the recent media circulation of alleged sexual harassment and victimisiation of Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo, abuse of office and official corruption, directed at the Vice-Chancellor, despite the conclusive investigative report and findings of the Nigeria Police absolving the Vice-Chancellor of the aforesaid criminal allegations.

"Not a single appeal or objection to the Police Report was made. It is also on record that following the directive of the Governing Council carried out in accordance with due process of law, the named staff members of the University have been duly queried and placed under suspension in the mean.

"The suspension of the said staff of the University (the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU--FUOYE Branch) was not initiated or executed by the Vice-Chancellor but was the decision of the University?s Governing Council, the statutory body empowered under the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (Establishment) Act (2015) (the FUOYE Act) to oversee such matters.

"The suspension was carried out in accordance with due process following the written representations dated 6th December 2024 from the respective affected staff upon the issued queries from the Governing Council.

"The Governing Council?s action was consistent with the extant laws and disciplinary procedures governing the University as clearly stipulated under the FUOYE Act which had no connection whatsoever to the alleged opposition of the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU ? FUOYE Branch against the Vice-Chancellor.

"Specifically, section 17(1) of the FUOYE Act stipulates that it is only the Governing Council that can remove from office any employed member of the academic, administrative or professional staff of the University on grounds of misconduct or inability to perform the functions of his office.

"Without a doubt, the insinuations that the suspension carried out by the Governing Council was a retaliatory act of the Vice-Chancellor, is mischievous and baseless.

"The Vice-Chancellor will therefore not be held sway by the baseless and malicious claims and accusations being peddled around and donated on the platform of some online media agencies.

"It is disheartening that some detractors are determined to misrepresent facts and spread unfounded damning allegations in a bid to destroy the image and credibility of the Vice ? Chancellor and the University.

"We would however trust that the misguided online platforms peddling these false reports will act responsibly, giving greater prominence to this Rejoinder, by publishing same and correcting the attempted harm done to the Vice-Chancellor?s reputation.

"In the mean, we shall continue to advise the Vice-Chancellor while awaiting further instruction in pursuing his right and integrity.?