3 Professors, 2 Others Sue University of Nigeria Nsukka Over Governing Board Removal

Five academic staff members from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State have filed a lawsuit against the university’s management. The plaintiffs, including three professors, are challenging their removal from the university’s governing board before the end of their elected tenure.

The legal action, initiated at the Federal High Court in Enugu, seeks to address the abrupt termination of their four-year terms following the dissolution and reconstitution of governing councils across federal universities. The complainants—Professor Joshua Umeifekwem, Professor Uchenna Odo, Professor Kenneth Oforkansi, Mr. Fimbar Eneogo, and Dr. Aaron Agbo—are represented by counsel Chidioke Ezeh.

In their suit, marked FHC/E/CS/97/2024, the plaintiffs request an interlocutory injunction to prevent the university from holding new elections for the governing council. The lawsuit names the university’s governing council, Senate, Vice Chancellor, and Pro-Chancellor as defendants.

The plaintiffs seek a court order to maintain the current status quo until the substantive suit is resolved. They argue that they were duly elected as internal members of the governing board from various categories, including Senate, convocation, and congregation, and have documented proof of their election and participation in council activities.

The motion highlights the vice-chancellor’s refusal to reinstate them, attributing his stance to his impending end of tenure in June 2024. The plaintiffs contend that the vice-chancellor’s actions are based on an outdated federal government directive suspending all boards of federal institutions, a decision they assert has since been revoked.

The court is urged to interpret relevant legal provisions to clarify what constitutes a four-year tenure under the law and to issue any further orders deemed appropriate to resolve the situation.