Ex-Bursar Battles YABATECH Over Wrongful Dismissal

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till next month the case of unlawful suspension instituted by the former Bursar of Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Joseph Babatunde Akeju, against the institution for adoption of a written address.

In 2008, in a suit number FHC/L/CS/5401108 filed before the court by Barrister Adeolu Dada on behalf of Babatunde Akeju, the former Bursar alleged that he was substantive Bursary of the school till 10 June, 2007 and he had worked at different times, in different capacities under supervision officers.

Mr. Akeju alleged further that he had always kicked against financial and administrative irregularities and non adherence to due process in financial matters, and that his anti-corruption disposition and abounding commitment to integrity, honesty, transparency and due process brought him into constant conflict with the school authority over mismanagement and manifest embezzlement of funds and resources of the college.

However, the plaintiff as a stakeholder in the fortune and commonwealth of the college was compelled to write petitions to the Governing Council of the college on many occasions, exposing in details the financial rot in the fiscal policy of the college. Subsequently, he petitioned anti-graft agencies like EFCC and ICPC since the governing council of the college have become complacent and compromised and which factors the college has used to harass and deny him the right to receive his due entitlements and emoluments as a way of getting even with him.

On 10 June, 2007 matters got to a head when he was prematurely forced to vacate his office as Bursar of the college. He was subsequently dismissed during the pendency of this case.

In view of this, the plaintiff is urging the court to set aside any suspension or his dismissal from his employment with the Yaba College of Technology for no just cause other than the singular reason that he performed a civic and patriotic obligation of writing petitions to anti-graft agencies on the corrupt practices of the college and its officers.