A group calling itself Concerned LASU Students has warned the Governing Council of Lagos State University against yielding to political pressure to recall a lecturer dismissed for gross misconduct.

The group, describing themselves as direct victims of one of the episodes investigated in the matter, appealed in a statement signed by its leader, which criticised what it called an ongoing effort by political interests to politicise the case with a view to reversing the disciplinary action taken against Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikannda in 2025.

According to Alausa, the LASU management had set up an inquiry into their grievances, which included high handedness and what they described as traumatic humiliation suffered at the hands of Professor Abanikannda. He cited a particular incident in which the professor forced students to stand in heavy rainfall during the Farm Practical Year at the Epe Campus for no justifiable reason.

Following the adoption of the disciplinary committee's report, LASU management relieved Professor Abanikannda of his position as Dean of the School of Agriculture, Epe Campus, in July 2025. A termination letter dated July 3, 2025, and signed by LASU Registrar and Secretary to Council, Emmanuel Fanu, found the former dean guilty of four offences, including subjecting 400 level students of the School of Agriculture to inhumane treatment by keeping them on the farm from 6.30 AM to 10 PM without break, food or water, even during torrential rainfall that lasted between 4.45 PM and 6 PM.

The group alleged awareness of ongoing moves by powerful individuals to overturn the Governing Council's decision and facilitate Abanikannda's return. Alausa claimed that lobbyists had mounted a well funded campaign for his reinstatement, and that one aspirant for the position of Vice Chancellor, ahead of the end of the tenure of the current VC, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, had promised to reinstate the dismissed don.

The students vowed to resist any such move. "We don't care who the next VC becomes, but we will resist any attempt to bring back Abanikannda. That will be a slap in our faces and an attempt to reopen our wounds," Alausa stated.