Why Professor Olumoko Was Recalled By LASU After Certificate Racketeering Probe

LASU Recalls Suspended Professors After Clearance in Certificate Racketeering Probe

The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has officially reinstated Professor Tajudeen Olumoko and Professor Hammed Mutalib, following the conclusion of an internal investigation that absolved them of alleged involvement in certificate racketeering and extortion.

This decision comes one year after their suspension in November 2023, when both professors were named in a media report exposing a certificate-selling syndicate at the university. Allegations suggested that forged LASU certificates were being sold for N2 million to N3 million, depending on the course of study, with Professor Olumoko, the former Dean of Student Affairs, allegedly linked to the scandal.


Cleared and Reinstated: LASU’s Verdict

Despite the controversy, a thorough internal probe by LASU authorities found no evidence linking Professors Olumoko and Mutalib to the illegal activities. Following this, the university’s management quietly reinstated them, with Olumoko resuming his academic duties in November 2024.

When contacted for confirmation, LASU’s Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Fanu, stated:

“Professor Olumoko has been reinstated because the investigation has been completed, and he has been cleared.”



Attempts to get further clarification from the Coordinator of the Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, were unsuccessful, as messages sent to her via SMS and WhatsApp remained unanswered at press time.


A Case of Media Frenzy or Justice Served?

The reinstatement of the two professors raises several key questions:

Were they falsely accused, or was there insufficient evidence to prosecute?

Did the initial media reports exaggerate the claims, or was this a case of internal cover-up?

What steps has LASU taken to prevent future occurrences of certificate racketeering?


While the university has cleared their names, this scandal serves as a wake-up call for LASU and other Nigerian higher institutions to tighten internal controls against academic fraud, certificate forgery, and extortion-related activities.

Transparency & the Need for Accountability

While LASU deserves credit for conducting a transparent investigation, the university owes its students, staff, and the general public a detailed report of its findings. The silence from key officials, including the Public Relations Coordinator, only fuels speculation.

If indeed Professors Olumoko and Mutalib were falsely accused, then their reinstatement is a vindication of their integrity. However, if racketeering truly existed within LASU, the institution must ensure that those responsible are identified, prosecuted, and punished accordingly.

For now, the professors are back, but the questions remain. How will LASU regain public trust after this controversy? Only time will tell.