The management of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, on Sunday, said its unnamed employee involved in the reported disappearance of 700 cattle put in its care by some stakeholders was facing trial.
PUNCH Metro learnt that some members of the public had put the cattle in the care of the university for rearing under its Cattle Production Venture.
Our correspondent gathered that the stakeholders were accusing FUNAAB of fraud as they could no longer account for about 700 of their cattle put in the care of the institution.
But the institution in a swift response, on Sunday, distanced itself from any wrongdoing explaining that any member of staff of the university who was discovered to have engaged in illegal dealings with the stakeholders leading to the loss of some cattle is already standing trial.
The university disclosed this in a statement by its acting Head of Directorate of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide.
The statement partly read, “FUNAAB allows external stakeholders to bring in cows from outside to raise through an open and transparent process. In this venture, many external stakeholders from Abeokuta and beyond had taken advantage of this venture, profitably.
“Upon reports of cattle losses, FUNAAB management promptly initiated investigations and it was revealed that many of the stakeholders alleging fraud had bypassed university procedures and dealt directly with a staff member at the CPV for reasons only known to them.
“Despite this attempt to short-change the university by many of these stakeholders, the staff member was appropriately questioned, investigated, and handed over to the police for criminal investigation, as allowed by our laws.”
The university noted that the case had been charged to court as appropriate, and that the employee found culpable was undergoing trial in court.
“It is important to inform the public that many of the affected stakeholders involved in the issue have refused to cooperate with the police to assist in the full investigation, and have also refused to show at the court, as witnesses.
“This might be due to their inability to bring legitimate documents depicting that their cattle were with FUNAAB.
According to the university, Regarding the claims of missing 700 cows, we assert that our CPV facilities are designed and maintained to meet the necessary requirements for the care and management of livestock but cannot accommodate 700 animals at once.
“FUNAAB reaffirms its commitment to its core mandates of teaching, research, and extension services, aimed at advancing agricultural development for societal benefit.
“We value the trust and confidence of our stakeholders and remain open to constructive dialogue and collaboration to address any concerns.”
When PUNCH Metro contacted the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, for her reaction, she confirmed the incident saying the Divisional Police Officer of the area had fully briefed her.
She said, ‘I am aware of the case. It is still going trial at the Odeda Magistrate Court.”
