EFCC Probes Alleged N2bn Misappropriation at LASUSTECH, Quizzes Vice-Chancellor, Commissioners
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched a full-scale investigation into allegations of the diversion and misuse of ₦2bn reportedly allocated to the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) for accreditation and infrastructure projects.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, three commissioners in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration have been questioned, while the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, was arrested on Monday and granted administrative bail the following day.
A senior government official familiar with the case confirmed that the EFCC’s interest centres on the alleged misappropriation of funds released by the Lagos State Government in September 2024. The money was reportedly earmarked for accrediting several academic programmes and improving physical facilities at the university.
“The VC was arrested on Monday and released on Tuesday over diversion and misappropriation of funds. He was released on administrative bail,” the source said. “About three commissioners serving in the Lagos State government have also been invited and interrogated.”
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, corroborated Odusanya’s arrest, noting that the Lagos Zonal Directorate is handling the matter. “We arrested him on Monday and released him on Tuesday… He is under investigation,” he told Noblequestdaily.
Findings revealed that a human rights organisation, the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), had in April petitioned the EFCC, accusing Odusanya and senior management officials of inflating contracts and violating the Lagos State Public Procurement Law 2021. The group alleged that the ₦2bn fund was not used for its intended purpose.
HURMA’s Executive Director, Buna Isiak, confirmed filing the petition.
A lecturer at LASUSTECH, who has followed the internal developments closely, said at least five high-ranking officials — including the registrar and bursar — had been questioned by the EFCC months before the vice-chancellor’s arrest. “The petition actually originated from within the university system,” the lecturer added.
In a different account, the university’s spokesperson, Olanrewaju Kuye, dismissed the allegations, insisting the petition was “frivolous.” He also denied that the VC was detained, saying Odusanya merely honoured an invitation and returned to campus the same day.
“The matter has to do with a petition filed by some people. The petition is baseless,” Kuye said. “It is not easy to lead people of intellect; some may not like your style. But it is not correct that the VC was arrested.”
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to messages sent to him. When contacted earlier by telephone, he said he could not hear clearly and requested that enquiries be sent by text.
