From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Wednesday further raised questions over the death of former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, when he disclosed plans to engage government in a legal battle over the late academician’s demise in a ghastly auto crash involving the Kogi State governor’s convoy.

Iyayi, who was president of ASUU from 1986 to 1988, died while on his way to Kano to participate in the National Executive Council meeting of the union to resolve the issues behind the over five months strike.

Speaking at the residence of the late ASUU leader, Falana said he had been mandated  by the family and ASUU, to challenge Iyayi’s “murder” in court.

He urged the union not to relent in the struggle but to ensure that the death of their former leader was not in vain, as he would ensure that recklessness on the roads by government officials was checked.

In his address, chairman, ASSU UNIBEN chapter, Anthony Monye-Emina, described Iyayi as one of Nigeria’s number one heros that have fallen, and a hero of ASUU struggles.

Chairman of ASUU, University of Ilorin chapter, Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, said the late Iyayi had cloned many other Iyayis while alive to carry on the fight, adding that the only way to ensure what he fought for was to sustain the struggle.

He added that if the federal government truly respected Iyayi, it should implement the agreement signed instead of shifting the date for resumption by the lecturers and threatening to sack them.