FCET Akoka council constitutes 2 panels to probe former provost, staff, students protest
By Gabriel Dike
The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education Technical (FCET) Akoka has set up a probe panel to investigate allegations against the administration of the removed Provost, Dr. Ademola Azeez, some staff and the recent protest by the students.
The Dr. Adenuga Olatunde-led governing council also constituted a special committee to investigate the recent students’ crisis that resulted in the closure of the college.
The governing council had earlier removed the embattled provost, Dr. Azeez and appointed Dr. Isaac Miller as acting provost of FCET Akoka.
The decision to set up the two separate panel/committee was taken on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 meeting of the governing council.
A circular dated Wednesday, August 7th and signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the council, Mr. Rasheed Dada, said the 8th governing council at its sitting on July 31st constituted an investigative panel and a committee to probe allegations against some staff and the crisis that engulfed FCET.
The 2nd circular titled: “Special Committee of Council to Investigate various allegations against College Management and Staff” and has a five-man committee with an external council member as chairman.
The panel is expected to look into reports of administrative infractions: college perimeter fencing contact and other reported cases, investigation on outstanding certificates and its documentation as well as other relevant petitions submitted by interested parties.
It reads: “This memo also serves as a call for the submission of memoranda to the panel and the committee by interested members of the community, staff, students and unions.”
The first panel is to look into the remote and immediate causes of students’ crisis of Monday, July 29th, 2024 at the college and has six members.
The special investigative panel has the representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Attorney General of Lagos State, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Institute of Quality Surveyors, Minister of Education and Chairman, Oluwole Residents Association.
The terms of reference include to look at the remote and immediate causes of the students unrest leading to the vandalization of five vehicles, damage to part of provost’s lodge, identify the ring leaders of the students crisis, staff, students and outsiders, itemized the damages suffered by the college in the course of the crisis, evaluate cost of replacements of the damaged items and assess the students facilities to be replaced/repaired and recommend those to be immediately repaired.
According to the circular, the council chairman, Dr. Adeniyi Adenuga, would inaugurate the panel and the committee on Monday, August 12th, 2024 and the two bodies are expected to start work immediately by sitting simultaneously.
On July 29th, 2024, the students went on rampage following the invasion of the college by armed policemen, who shot life bullets and teargas. Some students were injured while others fainted. About 32 staff and students were arrested and arraigned before Yaba Chief Magistrate Court.
