By Ishaya Ibrahim
Acting News Editor
The fallout of last October’s protest which ousted Bola Akinterinwa as director general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos still rages.
On Tuesday, April 12, the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court heard a case of a fracas involving the wives of Akinterinwa and one of NIIA’s research fellows, Efem Ubi, over the use of official residence.
Akinterinwa, a professor, was ousted in November 2015 following protest by angry employees led by directors, research fellows, administrative support staff, and even cooks, who alleged that he diverted funds for critical needs to construct a building.
The employees said he was given three months to quit his official residence which elapsed in February 2016, a notice they said he ignored.
Then on March 8, his wife was said to have been involved in physical confrontation with the wife of Ubi.
During the standoff, Ubi screamed at the women to stop. But Akinterinwa’s wife allegedly charged at him, dazed him with a slap, and proceeded to the nearby police station to lodge a complaint of assault against her.
Ubi also went to the police station to complain that he had just been assaulted by Akinterinwa’s wife.
The police slammed a charge of assault against Ubi and his wife at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court.
When the case came up for mention on April 12, the police prosecutor listed his witnesses as Akinterinwa and his wife, and the police investigative office.
Clement Authe, counsel for Ubi, told the court that he should be given the proof of evidence before the next adjourned date.
