By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Court of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) has, in a press statement dated 15th of May, 2024, acknowledged a correspondence from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) informing them about a planned investigation of financial and administrative irregularities at the university between the periods of 2018 to 2024.
According to the press statement, the Chancellor and Chairman of the Court will at any time inform the Court about when the Investigation Committee of the Court will commence its work such as the processes procedures among others, in accordance with the University’s 2021 Act.
“Prior to the dissolution of the University Court in January, 2024, the MTHE was advised by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to dissolve the University Court with immediate effect,” part of the release reads, and that all decisions that were made by the Court from December 11th, 2023, be annulled. The release also recalls the setting up of an oversight committee that was charged with managing the affairs of the university until new court was constituted.
It could be recalled that on 30th January this year the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) in a letter addressed to the Chancellor of USL, dissolved the Court of the University of Sierra Leone and went ahead to nullify the appointments of the Pro Vice Chancellor of USL, Professor Mohamed Samai and other university officials.
According to the letter, the Chancellor allowed the university administration to deliberately impose high non-tuition fees with other charges on students without recourse to the supervising ministry and or the approval of the USL Court.
It was also stated in the letter that the court failed to appoint a Pro Vice Chancellor of the University after the enactment of the University’s Act of 2021, reminding the Chancellor that in the absence of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and Principal, the Pro Vice Chancellor acts in their stead.
In the letter, the ministry expressed dissatisfaction over the Court not allowing the appointed Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal to function, but instead presided over the appointment of parallel Acting VC& P contrary to the agreement it had with the minister.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (20/05/24)
