The Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has suspended two of its staff members and the President of Student Union Government (SUG) over alleged extortion of students.
The university’s Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, who disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspension followed allegations that some students were compelled to pay an unauthorised levy.
According to Ibrahim, the affected staff members are the Director of the Directorate of Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Olanrewaju Ogunjobi; the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Support Services, Banji Olaleye; and the SUG President, James Adio.
Ibrahim further stated that Ogunjobi and Olaleye were accused in a petition of collecting N1,000 from each 100-level student purportedly for practical sessions conducted by the directorate.
“In the interest of fairness and in accordance with the principles of natural justice, management constituted a preliminary fact-finding committee to look into the allegations,” Ibrahim said in the statement.
“All persons mentioned in the petition were invited to appear before the committee. They were duly questioned and given the opportunity to respond to the allegations made against them,” he added.
According to the registrar, the committee’s findings indicated that Ogunjobi allegedly approved and collected the funds without obtaining the necessary approvals from the university authorities.
“With respect to Ogunjobi, the committee found that he allegedly authorised and collected the sum of one thousand naira from each affected student without recourse to the senate, management, or the university’s extant directives that all payments must be made through the bursary and with the approval of management,” Ibrahim said.
Explaining further, he said Olaleye played a role in the collection process despite serving in a key position within the university’s student affairs structure.
He added that the SUG president was also implicated in the matter.
The university said it remains committed to protecting students from exploitation and ensuring compliance with its financial procedures.
It added that it would not tolerate extortion, abuse of office, financial misconduct or corruption.
