The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has refuted the claim of mass sacking of members of staff being made by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Lawrence Isiraojie, told our correspondent that there was no truth in the claim.

The ASUU chairman in the university, Dr Cyril Onogbosele, had told our correspondent that institution had commenced mass sacking of members of staff.

Onogbosele said already 22 staff members had been given sack letters, adding that up to 90 workers might be affected.

The move was part of attempts to suppress the staff members from demanding what was due to them.

One of the sack letters, sighted by our correspondent, read, “In repositioning the university, the management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma writes to convey to you the decision of the Special Intervention Team of your disengagement from the services of the university with effect from March 10, 2023.

“You will be paid all your entitlements in line with the provision of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Staff Regulations and Scheme of Service.

“By a copy of this letter, the Bursary Department is directed to process your entitlements, subject to your clearance of any indebtedness to the university.

“You are kindly advised to submit all university property(ies) in your possession to your Head of Department on the receipt of this letter.

“The management of the university sincerely thank you for your past services and wish you success in your future endeavour.”

Speaking to our correspondent, the ASUU chairman said, “Twenty-two staff members have been sacked with the list expected to rise to 90. Fourteen professors have been shortlisted for retirement, which will be a great loss to the school.

“How on earth do you retire workers who are not due for retirement? What the management is doing by this action is to suppress workers from asking for their dues. Some are being owed for 21 months’ salaries, while selective salary payment has become the order of the day.”

But when contacted, the varsity’s PRO, Isiraojie said, “Ambrose Alli university has not sacked those workers they have listed on the paper circulating round the social media.

“It is just that a staff (member) of the Department of Economics that was disengaged last Friday and another professor from the Department of Modern Languages that was retired. Those were the only two individuals that were affected last week Friday.

“I am currently in the office; we have not sacked anybody and those briefing are not giving the true reflection of things at Ambrose Alli University.

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