SCANDAL: ASUP OFFICIALS BEATEN BY FED POLY OKO STAFF

Anambra state -- All academic and non-academic activities at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, were ceased by Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions (JACTU). It was also recommended by the JACTU to remove the two aides of the rector, Prof Godwin Onu.

The punitive sanctions are imposed following a nasty incident during which the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Oko chapter, officials were assaulted by people from the office of the rector of the educational institution.

In a letter to the rector, Prof. Onu, JACTU declared it would withdraw from further official engagements with the management until the issues are resolved.

The letter read, in part, "Meeting of the Joint Action of Trade Unions (ASUP, NASU, SSANIP) took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, as a result of a report on assault and attack on ASUP by officers attached to your office � Mr Amobi Chiamogu and Barr Stanley Okafor, during ASUP emergency congress held on Monday, October 21, 2013.

"Mr Amobi Chiamogu began attack on ASUP officials, destroying official documents of the union in the process, as well as inflicting body injuries to General-Secretary, Lady Barr Ogugua Ochuba. He later rained punches on one Kossy Ebunilo, an academic staff in the meeting. The legal Adviser, Br Stanley Okafor lumbered into the meeting with a stick and eventually caused a commotion.

"Reports indicate that a yet to be confirmed accomplices aided the duo in the act of infamy. The meeting reviewed the situation and concludes the development is strange to an academic environment and public service rules.

"Regrettably, the two officers who assaulted and caused bodily injuries to an officer and members of ASUP are key officers attached to your office. How can such highly placed officers of Rectory Unit throw decorum to the winds? Indeed, the actions are so atrocious that JACTU is worried that these men were sponsored to engage in such heinous acts. Ironically, one of the officers, the legal adviser, Mr Stanley Okafor, is not a member of ASUP. What then brought him to a meeting of intellectuals?

"JACTU condemns the action of the duo in entirety and regrets that the actions are unprecedented in the institution. The actions smack of high level of indiscipline and gangsterism. The development is appalling, shocking and unacceptable. Other personal assistants and legal advisers have successfully operated in the institution without abusing powers or causing a breach a breach of peace.

"In view of the forgoing, management appears to weigh poorly on Labour relations measurement scale. Consequently, JACTU hereby withdraws herself from further official engagements with management until the issues are resolved.

"Regrettably, the victims of the duo are very senior officers of the Polytechnic.

"JACTU, therefore, demands immediate removal of these officers from office. The action is deplorable and JACTU demands that appropriate punitive sanctions be meted to these people. JACTU also demands unreserved public apology by both management and the concerned officers.

"Generally, in view of the unguarded utterances of threats to life by the duo, JACTU is compelled to believe that staff and unions now operate in an atmosphere of fear. That is dreadful enough in an academic environment and this is unacceptable," the letter ended.