ASUU Slams Delta Assembly for Interfering in University Matters

ASUU DELSU has warned the Delta State House of Assembly to stop interfering in the university’s affairs after it summoned school officials over the dismissal of Dr. Abel Ideh, who was removed for allegedly misappropriating over ₦300 million in cooperative funds, asserting that only the state governor has the legal authority to intervene in such matters.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Delta State University (DELSU) chapter, Abraka, has issued a stern warning to the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), urging it to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the university.

This warning follows the Assembly’s summons of DELSU’s Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council over the dismissal of Dr. Abel Ideh, former president of DELSU ACADA Multipurpose Cooperative. ASUU insists the legislative body’s actions violate the university’s autonomy.

In a statement released after a congress held in Abraka on Wednesday, union leaders Comrade Paul Opone (Chairman) and Comrade Festus Omosor (Secretary) described the university’s autonomy as “sacred” and non-negotiable. They cautioned the university leadership against complying with the Assembly’s demands, warning that doing so would threaten industrial peace on campus.

ASUU reminded the public that Dr. Ideh had been dismissed following an investigation by the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC), which found he had misappropriated over ₦300 million of cooperative funds. The report revealed that the misused funds were funneled through companies linked to Ideh and his family members.

According to the union, Ideh’s conduct was deemed “scandalous and disgraceful,” damaging the institution’s reputation and breaching the Delta State University Law of 1998. Following due process, the Governing Council upheld the committee’s recommendation and terminated Ideh’s appointment.

The union expressed dismay that Ideh chose to petition the Assembly rather than seek legal redress. They accused the DSHA of trying to shield him and override the disciplinary decision through legislative pressure.

ASUU further stated that the Assembly’s involvement contravenes existing legal provisions safeguarding the university’s independence. They referenced a 2009 court ruling in Muoboghare vs. Delta State House of Assembly, which issued a perpetual injunction against such interference.

Emphasizing governance protocols, ASUU noted that the university’s Governing Council acts as the direct representative of the Visitor—who is the Executive Governor of the state—and therefore, the Assembly’s summons amounts to challenging the Governor’s authority.

Only the Governor, as Visitor, has the legal right to intervene in the university’s internal matters, and that must be done through an official visitation panel, the union emphasized.

ASUU also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to act on a petition submitted by the interim leadership of the cooperative in 2024, seeking justice and recovery of members’ lost funds—some of whom, the union lamented, have died as a result of the financial distress caused by the alleged fraud.

READ ALSO: Lagos Teen Overcomes UTME Setback, Scores 351 in Remarkable Comeback

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEADERSHIP