Alleged Professorship Backdating: Former LASU Registrar finally reacts

As controversy continues in the alleged backdating of the professorship of the current Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the institutions former Registrar, Mr Akinwunmi Lewis, says the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), LASU Chapter misplaced their allegation against him.

LASU VC, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun

Lewis said on Thursday that the union’s allegation that he unduly backdated the Fagbohun’s professorship was a misplaced. He said that contrary to what was being circulated by the union, he was actually not the registrar when the processes of the promotion leading to the Professorship of the then Dr Fagbohun was done.

Lewis said the process of the promotion was done under the leadership of Prof. John Obafunwa as Vice-Chancellor and Mr Lateef Animashaun as the Registrar whom he succeeded. He said the decision and processes leading to the promotion of Prof. Fagbohun had been concluded under the headship of Animashaun before he assumed office and implemented what he met on paper.

“The consideration of the promotion at that level of Appointments and Promotions and Council was done under the headship of Animashaun who was the Registrar until May 18, 2014. “Where my name is featuring prominently is because as at the time the decision of the council was conveyed for implementation, I had already assumed duty as Registrar and the lot fell on him to implement,” he said.

Lewis explained that promotion in LASU as contained in its books takes effect from Oct. 1, of the promotion year regardless of when the exercise was completed.