Osun Govt Shut Down State Polytechnic, Freezes School Accounts

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Drama at Osun poly campus as two Rectors resume duty At the Osun State Polytechnic in Iree, there was some minor drama on Thursday as two rectors resume work again. Following Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo's suspension on July 11, 2023, by the state government over allegations of fund misappropriation, and the appointment of Mr. Kehinde Alabi as acting rector, the institution had recently been in crisis. However, on August 21, 2023, Odetayo approached the Industrial Court with an order of interim injunction prohibiting the defendants/respondents, their servants, privies, employees, or however else described from putting into effect the letter of suspension dated July 11, 2023, and letter of inquiry dated August 1, 2023 given to the claimant/applicant herein, or in any other way interfering with the claimant/applicant's position as the Rector of. Attorney General O. The Lagos judge who oversaw the case, A Ogunbowale, granted the claimant's request for an order and restrained the state government and its representative from taking any further action until the lawsuit's outcome was known. However, on Thursday, Alabi and Odetayo both returned to their roles as rector of the school, with Alabi's supporters congregating in a hall while Odetayo and some staff members supporting him resumed at the rector's office. Upon arriving on campus, Odetayo showed a court order to the chief security officer before going to the office while being escorted by a group from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, or ASUP, at the institution. A short while later, Alabi and his ASUP group arrived at the school and gathered inside a campus hall. Tope Abiola urged students and staff to maintain their composure as the government took the necessary steps to ensure peace returned to the campus in a statement he personally issued and made available to newsmen. "I beg you to keep your composure and carry on with your normal duties without any protest”, he said.

The Osun State government has ordered the immediate closure of the state polytechnic in Iree for two weeks.

According to Gistlover, the government also immediately froze the school accounts.

Dipo Eluwole, the commissioner for education, issued a statement that announced the account’s cancellation and freeze.

Recall that the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, suspended the institution’s rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, in July due to suspicions of corruption.

In a memo dated July 11, 2023 from Muritala Jimoh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, to the polytechnic’s acting registrar, it was stated that the rector was under investigation for “allegations of financial recklessness, corruption, misappropriation of funds, and abuse of office.”

 In addition, the governor gave his approval for Mr. Alabi Kehinde Adeyemi to be named the interim rector with immediate effect, “pending the time the allegations against him are properly investigated by relevant bodies.”

In an unexpected turn of events, the suspended person returned to work while his suspension was still in effect while a court decided the case.

Therefore, the Osun State government said that closing the institution was in everyone’s best interests.

The statement noted that “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree to proceed on two (2) weeks break, with immediate effect.

“The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the Institution consequent upon the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr. T.A. Odetayo.

“The general public should also note that School accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”