The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has suspended two senior officials and the Students’ Union Government President over allegations of collecting unauthorised fees from students.
The university’s Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, stating that the suspensions followed allegations that some students were compelled to pay an unauthorised levy.
The affected officials are the Director of the Directorate of Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr Olanrewaju Ogunjobi; the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Support Services, Dr Banji Rildwan Olaleye; and the SUG President, James Iyanuoluwa Adio.
According to Ibrahim, a petition accused Ogunjobi and Olaleye of collecting N1,000 from each 100-level student for practical sessions allegedly organised 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 investigate the allegations,” the registrar said.
He explained that all individuals named in the petition appeared before the committee and were given the opportunity to respond to the claims against them.
“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,” Ibrahim stated.
The registrar said the committee’s preliminary findings indicated that Ogunjobi allegedly approved and collected the funds without obtaining the required approval 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,” he said.
Ibrahim further alleged that Olaleye was involved in the collection process despite occupying a key position within the institution’s student affairs structure.
The registrar also alleged that the SUG president played a role in the handling of the funds.
“The committee’s findings indicated that the SUG President was indirectly involved in the management of the money.
He allegedly participated in the sharing of an initial amount and later requested a refund, which reportedly led to the transfer of N700,000 into his personal bank account,” Ibrahim said.
He stressed that the university remained committed to transparency, accountability and adherence to due process.
“The university will not tolerate the extortion of students, abuse of office, financial impropriety or corruption in any form,” the registrar stated.
He added that the institution would continue to protect students from exploitation and ensure that all financial transactions comply with approved university procedures.
Ibrahim noted that the suspension of the three individuals is part of ongoing efforts by the university to preserve its integrity while investigations into the matter continue.
