ASUU Protest Against Demolition Of Properties

Members of the Academic Staff Union Universities, ASUU, of the University of Benin Chapter yesterday took to the streets in a protest against the Commencement demolition staff quarters occupied by University of Benin scattered within the government reservation given to it by then Mid-West Governor of Bendel, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia.
The demolition also affected the official residence of the of the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Osayuki Oshodin, who was sent packing at about 6pm when demolition squad pulled down part of the building.
The Edo state government and the University of Benin had been locked in a legal battle over the ownership of the said properties.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Correspondent, Francis Onoiribolo, who was on ground to cover the exercise, was manhandled by the demolition team. His camera, laptop and midget were destroyed in the process.
Edo state Chairman of ASUU, Dr Anthony Monye Emima, yesterday condemned the action of the state government adding that in spite of the appeal filed by the union against an earlier court decision, the government proceeded to demolish the properties.
Monye said “The University has appealed the court ruling the judgement and hearing was fixed for this January but because of the strike by judicial strike and even with the stay of execution they refused to obey. The government is in a hurry probably because they have shared the properties among themselves and the people to whom they have shared these properties are itching to take possession but rather than do this in civilized and proper manner they are resorting to thuggery.
“Dr Samuel Ogbemudia himself went to Court to testify that as military governor he has the executive power and legislative power and this properties were transferred to Uniben and he directed the secretary of the state government at that time to effect the transfer with proper documentation, the courts ignored all of these and awarded Judgment as expected to the government of Edo state.
In swift reaction, the Edo state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Hon Henry Idahagbon, yesterday asserted “ we did not demolish Uniben properties , we only took possession of Edo state government properties based on a court judgment of December 18, 2014.