A post with the above title has trended on the social media for some time. Enough time has been allowed for Chief Lawson

Omokhodion to refute it, but there was no rebuttal. It is therefore clear that he was the author, and the true story of history must now be presented.

I am a concerned member of the AAU Community,who has been in the University for more than 30 years. 

I know when the Governing Council of Chief Omokhodion was inaugurated, and I witnessed all the events that led to its dissolution. I want to quickly submit that most of what Chief 

Omokhodion said are lies, and misrepresentations.They cannot find space inthe true evidence of history. Now, here are the true factsof his unfortunate 

stewardship.

I also quickly aver that Prof. I.A Onimawo, is a true hero of development and repositioning in AAU, Ekpoma.

 

THE FIFTH COLUMN

There are five (5) Columns that 

have affectedthe destiny of 

AAU over the years: 

1.The Visitor.2

2.The Organs of the University.

3.The staff and students 

4.The Alumni.

5.Afacelessbodyof ferocious virtuperous petitioners and critics. 

They I will call 

‘The FifthColumn.’

The agenda of the Fifth Column

is to oppose and bring down every administration. 

They have successfully brought down 10 out of the 14 Vice-Chancellors

that have led the University in the

40 years of its existence, making sure the VCs don’t finish their tenures.They are vitriolic and ruthless in their operation and have successfully regenerated themselves within the system

over the years. Of the 4 Vice- Chancellor that could finish their tenure, one was suspended but recalled. 

The remaining 3had such a bumpy ride due to criticisms, petitions and oppositionfrom this Fifth Column that theywished they did not take office.Prof. I.A. Onimawo was a viable opponent

of the Fifth Column, while Chief Lawson Omokhodion was their 

ally.

As soon as Omokhodion was sworn in on October 30th, 2018 theFifth Column attacked him.In self-defensehe bowed to them. 

They quickly recruited him and he became an object their destabilization agenda in the system. He, the Pro-

chancellor, in tandem with the Fifth Column, generated so much heat in the system and got the Visitor so confused that he had to be thrown out. The Fifth Column is still alive and strong within AAU, and it is poised to begin it’s clandestine

agenda if not for the astute riot act of the Visitor.

Chief Lawson Omokhodion,

who was a private-sector corporate chieftain and businessman,who had little knowledge of university administration, became an object of distractionto the Managementand a failed tool in the hands of this Fifth Column. 

For ease of identification, they are alsocalled “TheCabal”.

The cabalcloaks itself with corporate legitimacy and is the faceless canker worm behind the failure of Chief Lawson 

Omokhodion.

In AAU the 14th Vice-

Chancellor is referred to as the13th, because one of the Vice Chancellors was actually a Sole Administrator,who 

attempted to run the University for a period of two years without government funding.

It is during this Sole Administrator’s self-Sustenance period that the University sank to its lowest ebb.

 This was in the mid 90s. We pray never again to have Self Sustenance or Sole 

Administratorship AAU. It was during This sole Administrator

period that the Fifth Column was born.

The 14thVice-Chancellor, Prof. I. A. Onimawo, after numerous attemptsat conciliation, decided 

to confront “The Cabal”.He went ahead with the achievement of his Vision. He out lined his Mission and

despite distractions from the Fifth Column of which Chief 

Lawson Omokhodion became a formidable part,went ahead to achieve all aspects of his Vision 

and Mission. Prof. I.A Onimawo took the university to new heights of development and transformation.

All progressive observers are celebrating Onimawo and all future generations will be grateful to him.

The Fifth Column failed in their bid to cloud his Vision or dethrone him.

Having finished strong, they have not relented in their“

PhD” (Pull him Down) syndrome.

From time to time, they still sponsor bad stories on the social media, about him.

However, despite their 

clandestine efforts, Prof. I.A Onimawo has secured his place in history as a Hero of Repositioning in AAU.

ENEMY ACTION

A man’s greatest enemy is within his household. AAU’s greatest enemy iswithin the University. Anyone who carries a trumpet and rushes to the Press and Social Media with negative stories is an enemy of the University and should be treated as such.

ThePro-chancellor, Chief  Lawson Omokhodion, who is supposed to be a protector of the 

Public Image of AAU, rather than rebuking those within the University who poisoned the image of the University by rushing to the Press, he encouraged them.

At the end of his tenure as Chairman of Governing  council, we can see the negative and 4shameful report he has presented on social media.

What he has done is an enemy action.

The AAU Community now knows thathe was one of the real enemies within.

WARNING

All progressive forces in the University hereby sound this as a warning.

 Anybody or group, whether student, staff, officer or otherwise,

who rushes to the Press or Social Media with negative stories about AAU, is an enemy of Ambrose Alli University. 

The Fifth Column may be very influential and ferocious.

 However, as they take matters about the University or any of its members to the social media in a negative way, they should be vehemently rebuked and apprehended. 

There are regulations against staff or students taking University matters to the press.

This is a stern warning to all those who have violated this rule thus far.

MISPLACED PRIORITY 

The three years of chief Lawson Omokhodion’s tenure was spent in the opposition and investigation of Prof I. A  Onimawo,the Vice –chancellor.Omokhodion said his priority was academic excellence;

infrastructural development and establishment of due process. Unfortunately, all his activities

were distractions to these noble objectives. History will record that he was a major obstacle to developments in AAU.

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

All the spectacular 

infrastructural developments recorded in the university in the last five year were almost singlehandedly achieved by the effort and astute deployment of funds of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. I. A. Onimawo. 

He reached out to access the funds. By prudent management and close supervision he transformed the university from a “school of poultry houses and bushy earth roads”to a first class university with spectacular buildings and tarred roads.It was Prof Onimawo who built the five new Faculties in the University. 

Prof Mrs. Agbebaku started the building of one of the Faculties. It was Onimawo that finished it.

 The Faculty of Engineering was started by sited by CBN during the tenure of Prof Mrs Agbebaku. CBN abandoned it. 

It was Prof Onimawo that put pressure on the CBN and they came to complete the project. Prof I. A. Onimawo is being lavishly praised for this. Omokhodion had absolutely no inputs in these projects. He was even a distraction on many occasions.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The organ of the university vested with academic excellence is the Senate of the University. Prof. I. A.Onimawo gave positive direction to Senate for the establishment of an unprecedented level of academic excellence. 

All the initiatives that introduced and established excellence in Ambrose Ali University were by Prof. I. A. Oninawo. 

He remodeled Ambrose Alli University from the analogue mode to the Digital. 

He transformed Ambrose Alli University into a truly digital University. That is why he is fondly called “The Digital Vice-chancellor”. Onimawo set up all the digital platforms 

including the CBE mode of examinations before the arrival of the Omokhodion Council. Onimawo is being praised and celebrated and Omokhodion does not like this, neither does the Fifth Column.

The Fifth Column violently fought against digitalization. 

The CBE mode of exam and LMS mode of teaching introduced by Onimawo removed a lot of power from lecturers. 

There is no longer opportunity or platform for marks-trading, either for money or sex. 

Till this moment, the Fifth Column is still fighting this. Omokhodion was recruited in the fight against Onimawo and spent all his strength fighting anything he stood for. 

He cannot now come out to claim any credit for academic excellence.

 This is how history has recorded this.

COMMENDATIONS

It is on record that TETFUND, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, NUC, JAMB, ITF, various 

Professional accreditation bodies, numerous corporate organizations, the Alumni, the  Students’ Union Government (SUG), numerous stutudents groups etc have all 

commended Prof. I. A.Onimawo for his outstanding performance as Vice –

Chancellor. The EDHA, the Judiciary, Teachers, and numerous other groups have 

openly commended Onimawo. In their moments of truth, all cadres of staff of Ambrose 

Alli University have commended Prof. I. A.Onimawo. You cannot wish away or erase 

his outstanding legacies. If not for Omokhodion, the Governing Council would have

commended Onimawo. The State Government has not openly commended Onimawo. 

However, they have record of the undeniable evidence of his outstanding contributions. 

The State Governor, at every opportunity, showcases the developmental strides in 

AAU. What better commendation?

DUE DILIGENCE EXERCISE

Chief Lawson Omokhodion has taken much pride in his so – called “Due Diligence 

Exercise. He called in a group of unknown “consultants” to look into the accounts of

the university, and according to him “unearthed a myriad of anomalies”. 

It must be quickly noted that universities are not run arbitrarily or by whims. There are 

Laws, Rules and Regulations and Due Process. A self – acclaimed champion of Due 

Process, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, interestingly, spent huge sums of money and 

exorbitant amount of time and energy in an arbitrarily exercise called “Due Diligence” 

“Due diligence”, as a word or exercise, is alien to the Law establishing the University.

“Due Diligence” is not backed by Law. It is totally arbitrary. It was the whim of the 

Chairman of Council, Chief Omokhodion, in his witch – hunting agenda. It cannot be 

sustained by law, neither is it consistent with due process or global best-practices. 

To invite strange parties with unknown Terms of Reference, unsupervised by any 

committee of the university to tinker with the books of the University is unjustifiable. 

The tune played by the piper, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, who has been compromised

by the toxic Fifth Column is what created the toxic “Due Diligence Report”.

Chief Lawson Omokhodion, due to the “Due Diligence Report” went on 

“comprehensive intervention” which, according to him, led council to the 

“reformatting of several misleading Financial Statements, reconciled several aspects of 

the accounting in the University, and whatever was omitted was reintegrated using that 

report”

The summary of it all is that the Due Diligence Officers introduced a strange 

accounting system based on which they made deductions that they called “anomalies”. 

Unfortunately, based on this strange report, Chief Omokhodion went on an iron-fisted 

binge of muckraking aimed at disparaging, vilifying and maligning the Vice-chancellor 

and his team of managers. The Fifth Column went on a renewed petition spree and press fiasco which attempted to destroy the public image of a high-flying Vice Chancellor and a University on the upward swing.

DUE DILLIGENCE EXTRAVAGANZA

Based on the Due Diligence Report, Chief Omokhodion set up numerous committees 

that interfered with the day-to-day running of the University. Council spent up to 200 million naira on sitting allowances within a year, aside from the huge sums paid for 

Due Diligence, Biometric Staff Audit and other Consultants brought from Lagos.

Because of the energy spent on muckraking, Council had little time for anything else.

Omokhodion conducted meetings like an imperial czar, overriding the 

recommendations most of the committees he set up. 

His decisions were highhanded 

and judgmental, to the chagrin of the bamboozled council members.

CONCESSIONING OF AAU ENTERPRISES

Chief Omokhodion, in his report, stated that he concessioned three non-viable AAU 

enterprises, which according to him are now giving AAU N800,000 monthly. 

The truth is that based on this very suspect and alien instrument called Due Diligence 

Report, and against the approval of most Council members, Omokhodion dashed out three very viable money-spinning enterprises of the university i.e. the bakery, the table water factory and the fish pond. He said they were not making money.

 He gave away all three enterprises for an agreement of the payment of a paltry N800,000 monthly, 

with a moratorium period of six months. 

It will shock the public to know who he consessioned these enterprises to Equally shocking is that to date more than twelve months after the concessioning the university has not received a dime from these revenue-yielding enterprises Knowledgeable insiders observe that these businesses 

were making profit. The depreciation system applied by these “due diligence actors”

wiped out all the profit on paper and the businesses, which were contributing physical 

cash to the IGR of the university’ were labeled non-viable, and Omokhodion now 

dashed them away. What arrant display of gross mismanagement and 

maladministration?

PETITIONS TO THE GOVERNOR

Chief Lawson Omokhodion proudly submitted in his report, that the Governor referred a 14-point petition against the Vice-Chancellor to him, “which he investigated and found the Vice-chancellor guilty”. Of course, it is to be expected that Chief Lawson 

Omokhodion would find the Vice-chancellor guilty of any and all allegations. Can the sheep ever be found innocent in a petition filed by lions with a lion as the Chief Judge?

The record of history is that Chief Lawson Omokhodion had single handedly found 

Onimawo guilty, even when the recommendations of the committees he set up pointed to exoneration.

The Fifth Column wrote more than 50 petitions to the Governor against the Vice 

Chancellor.

 They petitioned him on every decision, every action and every expenditure

he made as the V.C. Before the petitions even reached the Governor, they had posted

them on Social Media, creating the unkind and false image of a very corrupt administration in a very corrupt University 

Petitions to the Governor from the Fifth Column have flowed in every administration 

and that is why most V.C’s do not finish their tenure.

For example, when Prof. D.E Agbonlahor was the VC, petitions to the Governor 

flowed like water. He was accused of corruption, highhandedness and 

maladministration. He was accused of stealing and AIDS screening machine. He was 

suspended from office but later reinstated when the Governor found out the truth. What 

about Prof. Aigbomian? He was wickedly accused of plagiarism, weak administration 

and corruption. He was said to have build a hospital for his son in Ghana. His Pro chancellor saw through the schemes of the Fifth Column and protected him.

What about Prof. Uniamikogbo? The Fifth Column accused him of disloyalty to his 

Principal. The Governor removed him after 1 year.

What about Prof Mrs Agbebaku? 

However, unfortunstely, she died soon after her tenure,  gentle soul rest in peace.

They petitionrd her so much that she was a regular customer of ICPC. She scaled through all interrogation. 

The Fifth Column is simply deadly. 

They employ both the powers of both the day and 

the night. 

Omokhodion supported their intrigues.

Prof. I.A Onimawo survived their onslaught because of the undeniable development he achieved, and the magnanimity of the Governor, for which the University remains 

grateful. 

Above all, he depended on God through his consistent devotion to God for 

divine direction and protection. 

He instituted a monthly prayer programme in the 

university. 

He started every meeting with prayers and ended with prayers. 

The Fifth column fought this vehemently. 

However, light will always have the victory over darkness.

GENESIS OF THE BAD BLOOD

History has recorded that there were several causes of the “bad blood” the Fifth Column and the Chairman of Council had, that led to the unrelenting vilification of 

Prof. I.A. Onimawo, even after his tenure.

1. He was not the favoured candidate of the cabal, in the race for Vice Chancellorship but he went ahead to win.

 They hated him for this and waged war against him from his first day in office. 

2. He accessed “NEEDS assessment funds” and, according to them, refused to give 

them a share. 

They claim that they are the ones who fought for it. They claim that was “he eating alone.” They resolved to bring him down, even when he has accounted for all the funds, and employed them transparently for spectacular 

developments.

3. He introduced digitalization, especially CBE. 

This examination mode where students see their result on their laptop instantly has reduced the powers of those lecturers in the habit of marks-trading. 

Lecturers can no longer trade with marks or results. 

Many who used to get rich after every exam found that all the avenues

for malpractices have been removed. 

They strengthened their resolve to remove

the V.C and return matters to the status quo .

4. He resisted the efforts of the Fifth Column who tried to derail his vision, and even exposed some of their short comings.

5. He did not make the huge funds accessed from TETFUND available for sharing. 

They can’t believe anyone can manage such huge funds and not steal from it.

6. He refused to allow the Chairman of Council to interfere or erode his executive

powers. 

He fought for the sanctity of the organs of progress without compromise. 

These were unpardonable sins to “the cabal and other operators of the Fifth Column,

who had teamed up with Omokhodion to attempt the removal as Vice – Chancellor.

As God would have it, Onimawo finished strong and could not be distracted from his 

marvelous achievements. Now Omokhodion is coming out with a report to disparage 

him. Furthermore, the Fifth Column is still posting poisonous stories using social 

media platforms that have no credibility just to give the public something nasty to read, 

about a man the world is praising, for doing very well.

ACCREDITATION

Part of the miraculous feats of Prof I. A. Onimawo was the accreditation of all 78 

programs of Ambrose Ali University by NUC and all professional bodies, despite little

financial support from the State Government for this purpose. 

The Vice – chancellor was able to mop up funds from all revenue areas of the University for this purpose.

It is on record that no other Vice – Chancellor has been able to fund accreditation visit 

by NUC without Government contribution. Chief Lawson Omokhodion, should have commended Prof. I.A. Onimawo and asked how he was able to work the miracle of not 

losing any programme despite inheriting eight unaccredited programs. Omokhodion 

rather went snooping into staff personal accounts in frenzy, in his devilish search for

any instrument of indictment, no matter how far-fetched.

Accreditation is an expensive matter. Huge sum of money are paid in cash, for 

payment for transport, logistics, accommodation, feeding and other hospitalities of a 

large number of persons. Every four-man team, of more than 400 Professors, from

across the country had to be hosted. Expenses for grass-cutting, carpentry, electrical

and plumbing works and all repairs, incidental to accreditation, were done in cash.

Onimawo renovated all the laboratories and classrooms as part of accreditation costs.

The VC, being the Chief Executive Officer of the university, must ensure by prudent management, that all teams are satisfied. 

It is therefore to be expected that cash, for the purpose, would pass through the hands of his assistants.

Was Omokhodion expecting payments for hospitality to be signed for in the bursary by the recipients? All the Chairman of Council needed to do, was to ascertain if the monies were properly 

accounted for, and retired.

It must be stressed that no N350 million was found in anybody’s personal account. It 

History has recorded that despite the toothcomb examination and the malicious witch hunting attitude of Omokhodion, no money was stolen. Several anti-graft authorities have examined the allegations and exonerated the officers being grossly maligned.

was highly mischievous for the Chairman of Council to write that “money found in the 

personal accounts of the V.C’s Personal Assistant were transferred to the Vice Chancellor’s wife and children”. 

This is cheap, desperate libel and blackmail from a 

man of the Pro-chancellor’s stature.

History has however recorded that the Vice-chancellor achieved 100% accreditation of 

all AAU’s programs, including 22 that were visited in his last month in office. All monies were properly accounted for and AAU is the better for it.

History has also recorded that 95% of the programmes were awarded full five the years

of accreditation with only one or two interim accreditation. History records that this 

unprecedented feat was achieved by prudent management of IGR.

The Chairman, Lawson Omokhodion, instead of openly commending the VC, has gone accusing the V.C and his family of fraud. This is totally unjustifiable and wicked.

PETITIONS AGAINST OMOKHODION

Chief Lawson Omokhodion, in the report, did not tell the public that there were also petitions against him by the Fifth Column. He did not explain that he decided to team 

up with the Fifth Column because the attacks on him at the beginning of his tenure

were very vociferous, and attempted to bring him down.

He did not explain how he forced the University to purchase him a Jeep worth 63 

million naira; how he forced the University to pay for his unmerited oversea trips; how some money meant for his “colleagues” were pocketed by him; how he attempted toforce the Council to adopt some morally questionable decisions which Government

had to reverse. 

He did not give details of the query issued him by government that made it clear that his agenda was anything but holy.

EVERYBODY AGAINST HIM.

In the section he called avoidable and worrisome developments, he lamented that the 

Governor was against him; the Commissioner of Education was against him, the PS for 

Education was against him; the SSG was against him, and they were all powerful forces teaming up to protect the Vice-chancellor that he was anxious to remove from 

office. 

If this is the case, then who is the villain and who is the hero? How can all those who appointed you be against you?

History has recorded that Chief Lawson Omokhodion created the unprecedented crisis 

engulfing AAU because he misguided Government, was vindictive and extravagant and was displaying gross incompetence in governance that was embarrassing 

everybody.

Why would all the powers above him be against him if, there was nothing wrong with the way he was carrying on? Why would most of the members of the Council he was chairing be against him? 

The University was tottering under the weight of his crushing 

maladministration and was driving the University to an abysmal precipice. The University had to be saved.

We thank the Governor for dissolving the Council.

 

HOW OMOKHODION MISGUIDED GOVERNMENT

Chief Lawson Omokhdion, in his report to Government and which he has told the general public said the university can fund itself .

He is the one who went to Government and said the University can generate IGR of N6 

Billion. He made the Government think that everybody in the University is a thief and 

any funds or resources that Government puts into the University would be stolen.

Unfortunately, Omokhodion was wrong.

Everybody in the University is not a thief. In fact, nobody in University is a thief.

The truth is that the quantum of school fees collectable is not enough to pay salaries. 

Other sources like Acceptance fees, Revenue from commercial enterprises etc cannot 

make up the balance required for the wage bill. Government will soon find out that the 

University cannot survive without the subvention it used to provide.

In the 90s when a “Sole Administrator” appointed by Government tried the self sustenance effort, the University became the worst University in the World, Due 

process was compromised, academic excellence was jettisoned and the University was 

embroiled in a crisis of gargantuan proportion.

By selling the idea of self-sustenance to Government, Omokhodion has dealt the University a fatal blow. 

Unless Government does the right thing by continuing to grant the University its monthly subvention to the level it used to be and even more, things may not return to 

normal.

Up till March, 2020, when the subvention was reduced, there was no crisis in the 

University. 

Onimawo prudently managed the funds available and there were no salaries unpaid.

However, when Government reduced subvention from N250 million to N96 million 

only part of the salary could be paid. Now Government has almost totally removed the 

subvention, the arrears of the unpaid salaries has skyrocketed.

Crisis came when subvention was removed in line with Omokhodion wrong counsel

WHAT FAVOUR HAS OMOKHODION ATTRACTED TO AAU?

According to him, he spoke to his friends at Aret Adams Foundation and they approved a N100 million endowment for a Professional chair in Business Administration. 

The University is yet to realize this endowment.

Chief Omokhodion said his friend Gen. (Rtd.) Tony Ukpo based on his intervention 

gave a research grant of N3 million to AAU, to last for 10 years Commendable but 

futuristic.

He said a friend of his attracted Alhaji Aliko Dangote to donate two hostels. 

History has it on record that Aliko Dangote came in the Governor’s entourage.

It is shocking to note that all other interventions, donations, initiatives and achievements that Chief Lawson Omokhodion highlighted in his report and arrogated to himself are direct achievements of the Vice-chancellor, Prof. I.A Onimawo.

Prof. I.A Onimawo is the true hero of the last five years that has changed the face, attitude and positioning of AAU for the spectacular best.

All Omokhodion spent his three years doing was muckraking and scavenging in the 

dustbins of administration and generating negative retrogressive energies. He even 

admitted that he prevented many positive interventions from coming to AAU.

THE 508-ROOM HOSTEL THAT OMOKHODION TRUNCATED 

According to him, after his prior discussion with the Management of UBA Plc, the V.C 

was able to secure a loan of N610 Million for the construction of a 508-room hostel to 

accommodate more than 2000 students. The loan was approved and endorsed by the 

Visitor. 

Omokhodion admitted in his report that at the point of disbursement, he put the 

project on hold. What a travesty. 

That hostel would have been completed by now, and 

at least 2000 AAU students would have been enjoying world standard accommodation.

Is it not clear who put a spanner in the works of all positive interventions coming to AAU from third party investors?

CONCLUSION

The report of stewardship of Chief Sir Lawson Omokhodion, Pro-chancellor and 

Chairman of the dissolved AAU Governing Council was an 8-page missive of lament, 

abysmal failure and litany of excuses.

Along with the infamous faceless Fifth Column, he dissipated exorbitant energies in the pursuit of the Vice-chancellor who refused to be distracted but went ahead to 

establish AAU Ekpoma as a truly first-class University.

The footprints and legacies of Prof. I.A. Onimawo is properly documented in a book at the end of his tenure. The book records the spectacular achievements of the Vice�chancellor who was able to realize all the aspects of the Vision and Mission he communicated at the beginning of his tenure.

The Annual Reports of the University for 2017, 2018 and 2019 are also published books which are transparent testimonies in history of the contributions of Prof. I.A Onimawo.

These are the authentic records of History.

All those negative stories about AAU and Onimawo in the social media should be discountenanced.    

Above all, the ill-fated social media post of Chief Sir Lawson  Omokhodion should be seen for what it is: A bundle of lies and misrepresentations.

Concerned member

of AAU Ekpoma Community.