By joshua 
Removal Of AAU Bursar : Legal Counsel Claims Action Unlawful
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Edo State owned Ambrose Alli University is currently embroiled in crisis following the appointment of Prof. Mrs. Eunice Eboiserehimen Omonzejie as Vice Chancellor, with allegations of administrative incompetence, insensitivity to staff welfare, and internal bickering.
These issues are linked to the controversial removal of Dr. Sadiq Oshoke Akhor as Bursar.
Fortress Attorneys, representing Dr. Akhor, have issued a legal notice to the university’s Registrar, asserting that the removal is unlawful and unconstitutional, and have given a one-month notice before commencing legal proceedings.
There are also reports of subversion of due process and sustained effort on the part of the new Vice Chancellor to undermine the Governing Council in the affairs of the university akin to the return of a sole administrator.
Due to the palpable tension which enveloped the university over non-payment of March salary before the Easter celebrations and the non-utilisation of the one billion naira lifeline released by the Okpebholo-led Edo State Government to offset part of the salary arrears owed staff of the University by the immediate past Administration in the State, the State Government on 6th April 2026 announced the removal of the Bursar of the University, Dr. Sadiq Akor, directing his redeployment to his previous academic position in the university’s Department of Accounting.
His removal was hinged on “administrative inefficiencies and incompetence.”
The removal of the Bursar by the state government took the university community by storm. Reports indicated that the development took the Governing Council of the university unaware.
Dr. Akhor vowed to open the can of worms at the appropriate time. Specifically, he alleged that the Vice Chancellor did not communicate any approval for the one billion naira to be disbursed for the payment of arrears of staff salaries as directed by the State Government.
In his submission to the secretary to the state government Dr. Akor maintained among other things that no approval was given to him by the vice chancellor to make such payment of salary arrears and gratuity.
“As such, not making payment for a transaction without approval cannot be attributed to operational lapses, administrative inefficiencies, and incompetence, on the part of Bursary department of the Bursar, he said.
He alleged that his office had been under lock and key on the order of the Vice Chancellor since the State Government Special Announcement of April 6, 2026, a situation he said has made it impossible for him and his staff to resume office.
Meanwhile, the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Otunba Mike Aladenika in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin said contrary to claims made , that there is no crisis of any kind in Ambrose Alli University.
He said, “the management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs . Eunice Omonzejie continues to work harmonious with all principal officers and staff to sustain the progress recorded in recent months.”