Certificate Scandal: LASU Student Affairs’ Dean Steps Aside

Lagos State University (LASU) has removed the dean of students affairs, Professor Tajudeen Olumoko, over alleged certificate racketeering.

The report, though not confirmed by the coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, it was gathered that the matter  unsettled the management of the state-owned institution.

Olumoko was said to have been removed to allow investigation on him over the alleged offences  by the centre.  In place of Olumoko, a senior lecturer, Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, was reportedl appointed as acting dean of student affairs.

Allegations of certificate racketeering were uncovered by a national newspaper. It noted that a syndicate had been entrenched in the university and could be procured at the N2 million and N3 million.

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Meanwhile,  the Lagos State House of Assembly has resolved to invite the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Akibu, the vice chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Senate of the tertiary institution and other top officials over allegations of extortion and certificate racketeering in the school.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who noted that the source of the story could be suspicious and not trustworthy, said the concerned officials of the institution should be invited so that facts could be unearthed for the sake of the reputation of the school.

Obasa, an alumnus of the institution, said if anyone is found wanting after the investigation, the person should be sanctioned.

Moving the motion under “Matter of Urgent Public Importance’’, Hon. Owolabi Ajani said that there was a need to invite the Commissioner, the VC and others for the House to unravel the facts behind the allegation.

He said LASU had maintained a high level of integrity over the years that must be sustained.

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh urged that the investigation should involve people in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit of the institution.