UNILAG VC Threatens ₦1bn Suit Over Report On ₦397m Staff Payments, ₦434m Unretired Advances

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, has threatened to sue NaijaOnPoint for ₦1billion over a publication alleging that university staff received ₦397million in irregular payments while ₦434million in cash advances remained unretired.

Ogunsola, through her solicitors, Bayo Osipitan and Co, demanded the removal of the publication, a retraction and an apology within 48 hours of receipt of a letter of demand.

The publication, titled: “Citadel of Criminals: Under VC Folashade Ogunsola, UNILAG Staff Pocketed N397million In Irregular Payments While N434million In Cash Advances Went Unretired,” appeared on NaijaOnPoint.com and the platform’s social media accounts on X and LinkedIn.

In the letter signed by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, the vice-chancellor accused the publisher of making false and misleading allegations that linked her office to alleged financial infractions involving unidentified university staff.

The solicitors said the report conveyed the impression that Ogunsola presided over and condoned the misappropriation of public funds, portraying her as a dishonest chief executive overseeing an institution populated by criminals.

The vice-chancellor denied engaging in, authorising, participating in or knowingly facilitating any criminal conduct or financial impropriety.

According to the letter, she considered the publication materially false, misleading and injurious to her personal and professional reputation.

While acknowledging the importance of investigative journalism, fair comment and responsible reporting on matters of public interest, the solicitors said their client objected to what they described as baseless allegations and unverified conclusions presented as established facts.

The lawyers cited Nigerian laws on defamation and provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, as amended, arguing that the publication could attract legal consequences.

They consequently demanded that NaijaOnPoint immediately remove the report from its website and social media platforms, publish an unequivocal retraction and apology with prominence comparable to the original publication, and refrain from further circulating the allegations.

The solicitors also demanded a written undertaking that the allegations would not be republished and that measures would be taken to prevent further circulation by the organisation.

The letter warned that failure to comply within 48 hours of receipt would result in civil proceedings against the publisher and other persons considered responsible for the publication. It also threatened a referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation and possible prosecution.

Among the reliefs being sought are declarations that the publication is defamatory and maliciously injurious, an order compelling its removal, and a perpetual injunction restraining further publication of the allegations.

The vice-chancellor is also seeking ₦500million in general damages and another ₦500million in exemplary damages, bringing the total damages claimed to ₦1billion.

The letter urged the publisher to treat the demands with urgency and take the requested corrective measures.