Fabian Osuji
Encyclopedia
Professor Fabian Ngozichukwu Chinedum Osuji (born 20 January 1942) was the Federal Minister of Education in Nigeria
from July 2003 until March 2005.
, Nsukka
and the University of Ibadan
and performed his Post-Doctoral Research at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London.
He was a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan (1973-1981), and became a member of the University's Senate.
He also was a Visiting Scientific Fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency
and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He was Dean of the College of Science, Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and member of the Governing Council of Imo State University
. He was also a Visiting Professor to several universities within and outside Nigeria. Prof Osuji actively participated in the Development of university education in Nigeria through policy making, research and publications. He has to his credit over 35 published papers and books.
Before being appointed Minister of Education he served as Imo State Commissioner for Information and Social Development (1994-1996), Professor of Applied Biology, St. John's University, New York (CUNY) USA (1997-1999) and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2000-2003).
He was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in March 2005 followed his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) for allegedly offering N50 million ($400,000) in bribes to the National Assembly to pass an inflated budget.
Obasanjo announced the dismissal in a national radio broadcast that implied his guilt.
The case was handed to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
(ICPC) for persecution. In April 2005, Osuji was questioned by the ICPC, as were former Senate leader Adolphus Wabara
and Senators Abdulazeez Ibrahim
, Emmanuel Okpede, Badamasi Maccido
and Chris Adighije.
In May 2005 Osuji appeared in the Abuja High Court along with Wabara and five lawmakers.
After extended legal battles, on 1 June 2010 an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja
declared that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie
case against Osuji, describing the government's actions as "embarrassing, barbaric and uncivilized" and subsequently quashed all charges against Prof. Osuji.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
from July 2003 until March 2005.
Early career
An outstanding scholar from youth, Osuji attended the University of NigeriaUniversity of Nigeria
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Founded in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960, the University of Nigeria has four campuses – Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla – located in Enugu State and one in Aba, Abia...
, Nsukka
Nsukka
Nsukka is a town and Local Government Area in South-East Nigeria in Enugu State. Other towns that share common border with Nsukka, such as Enugu Ezike, Orba and Obollo-Afor , Ede-Oballa, Uzo Uwani and Mkpologwu, now also claim the name Nsukka, hence they all collectively fall into the political...
and the University of Ibadan
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is the oldest Nigerian university, and is located five miles from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria...
and performed his Post-Doctoral Research at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London.
He was a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan (1973-1981), and became a member of the University's Senate.
He also was a Visiting Scientific Fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He was Dean of the College of Science, Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and member of the Governing Council of Imo State University
Imo State University
The Imo State University in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria was established in 1981 through law No. 4 passed by the Imo State House of Assembly.The university admitted the first intake of 392 pioneer students on October 23, 1981....
. He was also a Visiting Professor to several universities within and outside Nigeria. Prof Osuji actively participated in the Development of university education in Nigeria through policy making, research and publications. He has to his credit over 35 published papers and books.
Before being appointed Minister of Education he served as Imo State Commissioner for Information and Social Development (1994-1996), Professor of Applied Biology, St. John's University, New York (CUNY) USA (1997-1999) and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2000-2003).
Later career
Osuji was appointed Minister of Education in July 2003.He was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in March 2005 followed his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering...
(EFCC) for allegedly offering N50 million ($400,000) in bribes to the National Assembly to pass an inflated budget.
Obasanjo announced the dismissal in a national radio broadcast that implied his guilt.
The case was handed to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission , is a Nigerian agency that was inaugurated on the 29th of September 2000 following the recommendation of President Olusegun Obasanjo...
(ICPC) for persecution. In April 2005, Osuji was questioned by the ICPC, as were former Senate leader Adolphus Wabara
Adolphus Wabara
Adolphus Ndaneweh Wabara is a former Nigerian senator who represented the People's Democratic Party in Abia State. He became a senator in 1999, and was president of the Senate of Nigeria from 2003 to 2005, he continued his tenure as a senator until 2007 when he stepped down.-Background:Adolphus...
and Senators Abdulazeez Ibrahim
Abdulazeez Ibrahim
Abdulazeez Abubakar Ibrahim was elected Senator for the Taraba Central constituency of Taraba State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People's Democratic Party platform. He took office on 29 May 1999....
, Emmanuel Okpede, Badamasi Maccido
Badamasi Maccido
Badamasi Maccido was elected federal Senator for the Sokoto North constituency of Sokoto State, Nigeria in April 2003 on the All Nigeria People's Party platform.He died in a plane crash in October 2006....
and Chris Adighije.
In May 2005 Osuji appeared in the Abuja High Court along with Wabara and five lawmakers.
After extended legal battles, on 1 June 2010 an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja
Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
declared that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie
Prima facie
Prima facie is a Latin expression meaning on its first encounter, first blush, or at first sight. The literal translation would be "at first face", from the feminine form of primus and facies , both in the ablative case. It is used in modern legal English to signify that on first examination, a...
case against Osuji, describing the government's actions as "embarrassing, barbaric and uncivilized" and subsequently quashed all charges against Prof. Osuji.