The management of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has shed light on the alleged missing 700 missing heads of cattle from the university facility.
The university said though its facility is established up to the standards for livestock care but added that it can’t accommodate 700 animals at once.
Speaking through the acting Head of Directorate of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide on Sunday via a statement, the university said its unidentified worker involved in the reported disappearance of 700 cattle in its care by some stakeholders was facing trial.
The Daily Crucible reports that some members of the public had put the cattle in the care of the university for rearing under its Cattle Production Venture scheme but there were concerns by some of the stakeholders that the FUNAAB could no longer account for about 700 of their cattle in the custody of the institution.
But the University absolved self of any wrongdoing, informing that a member of staff of the university who was said to have engaged in illegal dealings with the stakeholders leading to the loss of some cattle is already standing trial.
The university Head of Directorate of Public Relations, Olasunkanmi Olajide’s 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 in the statement by Olajide explained that matter was already before a competent court while the employee found culpable was also already undergoing trial.
“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.
“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,” he added.
