EFCC Cuff FUTA VC as staff protest aginst his arrest

Some academic and non-academic staff of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have protested against the release of the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Adebiyi Daramola and the bursar, Mr Emmanuel Oresegun by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The workers, who moved round the campus of the university with placards chanting unpleasant songs against both Daramola and Oresegun, accused the two principal officers of financial impropriety.

Both Daramola and Oresegun were on Wednesday quizzed by the EFCC over allegation of misappropriation of the university funds leveled against them.

The protesters who condemned the immediate release of the university’s two top officials, called on the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation into all the allegations leveled against them.

Also, the protesters called for the resignation of the two principal officers pending the conclusion of their investigation by the anti-graft agency, saying both the Vice Chancellor and Bursar should toe the path of honour by resigning from office to allow proper and thorough investigations by the anti-graft body.

Meanwhile authorities of the university have exonerated the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola and the bursar, Mr Emmanuel Oresegun from any financial impropriety.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, while reacting to development, said the two officers were not involved in any financial misappropriation which could have necessitated their arrest by the EFCC.

Adegbenro stated that the two principal officers of the university have no skeleton in their cupboards, and as such have nothing to fear about.

Adegbenro said the Vice Chancellor was not arrested but invited by the commission to provide information over issues relating to his stewardship as the Chief Executive of the institution.

He said “As part of its statutory responsibilities, the EFCC invited the Vice Chancellor to provide clarification over issues relating to his stewardship in the university over a period of time.

“The Vice Chancellor as a law abiding citizen duly honoured the invitation and he cooperated with the commission by providing needed clarification and he was allowed to return to Akure the same day (Wednesday).

“The Vice Chancellor has maintained that he has no fear or hindrance in rendering the report of his stewardship whenever he is called upon to do so officially or unofficially since he has nothing to hide.”

When contacted on the telephone, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest of the two university principal officers, saying “I don’t have the details yet but it has to do with an ongoing investigation by the commission”.