By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
In obedience to court order, Governor Ademola Adeleke has reinstated the
suspended Rector of Osun state Polytechnic (OSPOLY) lree, Dr Tajudeen Odetayo.
Dr Tajudeen Odetayo officially resumed work on Thursday September 7 in his office as the Rector of the Institution, following an order of interim injunction for parties to maintain status quo, pending hearing of the subject matter of the suit on October 10, 2023.
The National Industrial Court , Lagos Division had on September 1, ordered Governor Ademola Adeleke and 14 others to stop further action regarding the suspension of Odetayo, pending the hearing of substantive matter on the next day of adjournment.
Dr. Odetayo was suspended by the state government, on July 7, 2023, over yet to be investigated or confirmed petition written against him by some members of management in the institution.
Justice Opeloye .A Ogunbowale of Ibadan division who is currently sitting in Lagos as vacation judge, made the order while ruling on an Ex-parte motion filed before the court by Dr. Odetayo.
The students of the institution had protested against the Rector’s suspension, so also the members of the OSPOLY chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) who condemned the suspension and his replacement by Alabi Kehinde in Acting capacity.
However, as the matter was filed in court and the court in its interim injunction, ordered that status quo be maintained pending hearing of the matter, Dr Odetayo went back to his office on Thursday to continue his tenure at the polytechnic.
He was received by members of management and ASUP Executive back into the campus with display of various placards and prayer sessions.
Chairman of ASUP, the Osun State Polytechnic chapter, Comrade Ezekiel Alabi, appreciated the State governor, Ademola Adeleke, for allowing the rule of law to prevail on the matter. Comrade Alabi pledged ASUP’s support for Odetayo throughout his tenure in office.
While addressing the Staff, Dr Odetayo appreciated their support and enjoined them to remain committed to their duty while promising to continue to tow the line of peace and rule of law.
