UNIBEN demolition, ASUU wants Oshiomhole to pay compensation
(Nigeria) The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities,
ASUU, wants Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo Stat to pay compensation to
members of staff of University of Benin, UNIBEN, over the demolition of
property in the school.
Prof. Suleiman Muhammad, Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Abuja Zone,
made this known when he briefed newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
Mohammad said that Oshiomhole should have waited for the
Court of Appeal to decide on UNIBEN’s appeal before embarking on the
demolition.
He said that ASUU was surprised that Oshiomhole continued
with the demolition after promising to stay action pending the determination of
the case.
``Governor Oshiomhole should live up to his promise to
compensate the members of staff of the UNIBEN who were affected by the
demolition. Members of the public will recall the uproar generated by his
action sometime ago, when he demolished property occupied by staff of the University
of Benin.
``This action came on the heels of a court judgment in the
favour of Edo State Government against which the university immediately filed
an appeal. Rather than allowing the case to run its course in the court of
appeal, Mr Oshiomhole carried on with the demolition,’’ Muhammad said.
He said that Oshiomhole had made overtures to the staff of
the university who were affected by the exercise, and promised to make amend by
compensating those who suffered some losses.
Muhammad said that the governor made several promises to the
leadership of ASUU when the union raised objection to the demolition.
``He also promised to allow the ongoing court process to run
its course.
``To the surprise of the leadership of the ASUU, especially
its members at UNIBEN, Oshiomhole has gone back on his words. He has directed
the complete demolition of the remaining part of the structures that were the
properties of UNIBEN while the Court of Appeal is yet to decide on the case,’’
Muhammad said.
The ASUU zonal coordinator said that the action of the
governor was condemnable, adding that the union would not take it lightly.
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