Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, the vice-chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has been arrested and grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N2 billion fraud.
According to a report by PUNCH, three commissioners in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet have also been invited for questioning by the anti-graft agency as part of the probe.
The investigation, which began a few months ago, led to the arrest and detention of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Olumuyiwa Odusanya. Odusanya was reportedly arrested on Monday and released on administrative bail the following day.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the VC’s arrest, stating, “We arrested him (Odusanya) on Monday and released him on Tuesday. Our Lagos Zonal Directorate is handling the matter, and he is under investigation.”
This newspaper gathered that a non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), had petitioned the EFCC in April, alleging that Odusanya and some members of LASUSTECH management misappropriated N2 billion.
The funds, released by the Lagos State Government in September 2024, were intended for the accreditation of university departments and the provision of infrastructure. Odusanya is accused of contract inflation and breaching the Lagos State Public Procurement Law of 2021.
However, LASUSTECH spokesperson Olanrewaju Kuye described the petition as frivolous and disputed claims that the VC was arrested. “He honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday and returned to the university a few hours later,” Kuye said.
“The matter relates to a petition filed by some individuals. While it is baseless, such incidents cannot be ruled out in a society of academics. It is not easy to lead people of intellect, so some may dislike your style. But it is incorrect to say the VC was arrested and detained.”