The Governing Council of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta on Thursday sacked 18 staff members of the institution while five others were also relieved of their appointments by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.
The sacking, our correspondent gathered, came at the end of a meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe.
It was further gathered that those sacked include three members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities of the institution namely, Lasun Somoye, Abdusalaam Sobbor and E.A. Bankole.
They were said to be the ‘whistle blowers’ who allegedly wrote a petition against the management of the institution to the anti-graft agency – the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trio had earlier been placed on suspension by the management of the institution since August 22 before this new development.
Others affected were 10 executive members of the association under the Chairmanship of Rotimi Fasunwon and five other staff of the institution.
Those sacked include three medical doctors; Dr A.O Ajayi; Dr I.O Olaniran, and Dr O.O. Salami and two health workers; Mr Oyero, a laboratory scientist and Miss K.O. Adeyemi, a medical record officer.
According to some of the letters dated November 10, 2016 and signed by the School registrar, M.O. Ayoola, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the school based its action on what it called “re-organisation” in the institution.
The letter read in part, “Due to re-organisation in the university system, the Governing Council has directed that your services are no longer required. Your appointment as… is therefore terminated with immediate effect.
“Please handover all university property in your possession to the Head of your Department/Unit immediately, while your Staff Identification Card should be submitted at the Establishment and Human Resources Directorate of the Registry.
“Please note that you will be paid one month’s salary in lieu of notice.”
When contacted on the matter, the Head, Directorate of Public Relations of the Institution, Emi Alawode promised to send her response but as at the time of filling this report, the response has yet to be received.