By Raphael Okhiria
Prof. Dawood Egbefo, the acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Uzairue, has been suspended by the institution’s Governing Council, over allegations bothering on gross misconduct and financial impropriety.
These allegations are causing a crisis of confidence that is impacting the smooth operation of the state-owned institution.
The five-month-old administration of Prof. Egbefo, is currently under serious investigation, leading to Ag. VC’s suspension by the Governing Council of the university.
The RELIANCE investigation revealed that Prof . Egbefo’s suspension was aimed at preventing any potential interference with the ongoing investigation.
Chairman of the Council Prof. Emeritus T.O.K Audu, acting on behalf of the council in a letter addressed to Prof. Dawood Egbefo dated 4th November, 2024, noted that the suspension was based on the unsatisfactory response of the acting Vice Chancellor to query issued to him at the emergency meeting of the Governing Council of the university, held on 30th October, 2024
The suspension letter was signed by Betcha Ekosuhun, an officer in charge of the Legal Unit.
Consequently, the Governing Council set up an investigative committee headed by the bishop of the Auchi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia to investigate the plethora of allegations against the suspended ag. VC, and to make recommendations to the Council.
But to allow the committee have an unhindered access to files and university records, Prof. Egbefo was directed to vacate office as the acting Vice Chancellor with immediate effect.
He was directed to handover the functions of the office of Vice Chancellor to Prof. M.J.E Evbogbai, the Director of JUPEP in the University with effect from Monday 4th November 2024.
Prof. Egbefo was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor in June, 2024, succeeding the founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, who completed the mandatory two terms of eight years.
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