The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), on Saturday, accused Mr. Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, of corruption. The association allegation was based on the minister's decision to have Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), represent him at the first convocation ceremony of the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. The Vice Chancellor is being prosecuted for money laundering and embezzlement.
The association's position was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of its local chapter, Mr. Dele Durojaye. The association said the Education Minister's continued relationship with Professor Daramola, who has been accused of corruption, shows him as supporting corruption.
SSANU wondered why Professor Daramola, who is facing charges at the Ondo State High Court over money laundering and embezzlement, would represent the Minister of Education. SaharaReporters observed that Professor Daramola, who wore a green ceremonial robe, had on Friday represented Mr. Adamu at the convocation ceremony of Elizade University and read a prepared speech.
"Right under Adamu as Minister of Education, some Vice Chancellors, namely Professor Daramola of FUTA, Professor Oyewole of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; and Professor Adikwe of University of Abuja are not only being investigated, but a prima facie case has already been established against them and they are now in court facing criminal charges of corruption. Yet Mallam Adamu Adamu couldn't lift a finger," noted SSANU.
The association added that only President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting corruption, saying his ministers are not on the same page with him.
The association accused the Mr. Adamu of shielding university vice chancellors involved in corrupt deals despite weighty evidence against.
"Despite the Extant Public Service Rules that stipulate interdiction for such public officers, rather than doing the needful, the Minister has been shielding the Vice Chancellors. The likes of Mallam Adamu Adamu have no business being in this government and if he can be shielding corrupt public officers under him, that clearly shows that himself is corrupt," the association stated.
SSANU insisted that it is a mockery of the country's system to have a Vice Chancellor facing money laundering charges in court representing the Minister at a public function.
"If a man facing a corruption- related case in court and such public officer is representing the Federal Government in a convocation, as witnessed in Elizade University, then such a government cannot be seen to be serious. The same corrupt Vice Chancellor held a convocation as Education Minister's representative on Saturday and by the following Monday, he was in the dock in court," noted the association.
It called on President Buhari to review the status of his ministers, who have refused to key into his anti-corruption initiative.
"Adamu Adamu by his inaction should be relieved of his ministerial position. Ministers involved in governing this country should be only those that will key into the anti-corruption war," said SSANU.
