The leadership of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has announced to the general public that nothing personal is held against the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology LASUSTECH, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya over the ongoing investigation on financial scandal by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC.
This announcement was made by the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak during a short address on Friday to members of the Human Rights and Anti-Corruption body, HURMA. According to the Executive Director, Comrade Buna Isiak, the address was necessitated due to recent intrusion by prominent personalities in the country to the office of HURMA through the Executive Director seeking possible withdrawal of HURMA from the matter.
HURMA had earlier In a petition addressed to the EFCC and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak under the Whistle-blowing Policy of the Federal Government, requested the Anti-Corruption body to investigate the allegation of fraud allegedly perpetrated by LASUSTECH Vice Chancellor, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya in connivance with the Procurement Officer and the Auditor of the University in the embezzlement of sum of N2b being awarded by the Lagos State Government for the accreditation of some of the Institution’s department without following the Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021.
The Whistle-blowing Policy is an anti-corruption programme that encourages people to voluntarily disclose information about fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, government assets, and any other form of corruption or theft to the Nigeria’s Law Enforcements Agency.
“As clarified in our petition to the EFCC, It is on the strength of the Whistle blowing policy that concerned Nigerians have contacted our office due to their trust and confidence in us. It is on same trust that we are involving the office of the EFCC, as an equally trusted and reliable body to investigate the alleged corruption against the LASUSTECH VC, Olumuyiwa Odusanya.
“Moreso, regular programs by the office of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda HURMA in addressing issues of trust in public institutions through encouragement of transparency and accountability have encouraged public trust in HURMA as a reliable organization that is working for the general progress of the Nigerian society.
“Our office hold nothing personal against the Vice Chancellor. He should simply present a reliable defense while the EFCC do its job without influence.
“Our duty include encouragement of the general public to have trust in Nigeria as a Nation that must be built by all.
“Reports from various units of HURMA across the state and beyond reveals that corruption has caused crisis of trust in Nigeria’s institutions and society. Trust in formal institutions has therefore been eroded through erosion of institutional integrity. These deficits have had serious devastating effects on public trust and needs to be addressed by encouragement of transparency and accountability especially in governing institutions.
“Let the LASUSTECH VC, Olumuyiwa Odusanya be vindicated by the investigating body, EFCC and HURMA shall celebrate him as we do for upright personalities.”