The appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Abuja that had hitherto been crises-ridden has become a subject of litigation. AMEH EJEKWONYILO reports
The crises which has trailed the University of Abuja since the tenure of its immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Adelabu, is far from over as three lecturers from the ivory tower have dragged the university authorities before the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja.
In an originating summons dated July 2, 2014, the three lecturers, Dr. Raji Rasheed, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammed and Dr. Okoli Ifeanyi, through their counsel, Mr. Mahmud A. Magaji (SAN), questioned the procedures for the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof.
Michael Umale Adikwu, who was appointed and sworn in on July 1, 2014.
Among questions being asked by the lecturers for determination include; whether or not the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Abuja, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, can legally or validly appoint Prof. Adikwu as the Vice-Chancellor of the university which they claim is in contravention of the provisions of the University (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2003 as well as whether or not the provision of Section 8 of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment) Act is not mandatory in the appointment of a
Vice-Chancellor in the University. The lecturers are also claiming that the Governing Council of the University of Abuja failed to observe merit in the appointment process, as they alleged that “the most qualified candidate on merit, performance as well as under the Federal Character principle is Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta who scored the highest mark in the interview referred to above.”
However, from the report of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board on the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Abuja, submitted to the Governing Council at its 34th Extra-Ordinary meeting of Tuesday, 24th June, 2014, and which was attached as exhibit before the court, the three candidates were shortlisted based on their academic achievements which were outlined as criteria or precondition for appointment as Vice Chancellor.
According to the report, Prof. Danbatta, who hails from Kano State, has one academic publication to his credit in the last two years and attended two international academic conferences and presented two papers. He supervised and graduated two doctoral students as well as 16 Masters’ degree students in the last ten years.
Prof. Lawal, whom the claimants alleged came second, has four academic publications to his credit in the last two years, attended one international academic conference and presented one paper. He supervised and graduated eleven Doctoral students in the last ten years.
The new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adikwu, was alleged to have thirteen academic publications to his credit in the last two years, attended one international academic conference and presented one paper. He supervised and graduated seven Doctoral students as well as forty Post Graduate Students in the last ten years. Apart from these, the Vice Chancellor has, among other academic laurels, the prestigious Nigeria Academy of Science Award which he won in 2006, as the Nigerian best scientist of the year, a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and Fellow of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
In terms of catchment area and geopolitical zones, Prof. Danbatta, a professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, is from Kano State (North West), Prof. Lawal, a professor of Language Education, is from Kwara State (North Central), and Prof. Adikwu, a professor of Pharmacy and is from Benue State (North Central).
While the claimants alleged that on the basis of the above assessment, the three top candidates were graded with Prof. Danbatta scoring the highest grade of 86 per cent in the screening and interview exercise, Prof. Lawal came second by scoring 73 per cent and Prof Adikwu came third with 65 per cent, they however failed to provide the basis of the score as the alleged second and third candidates seemed to be better in terms of academic output., which was said to have been a critical factor in the choice of the new vice chancellor.
The claimants are praying the court for a declaration that the purported appointment of Prof. Adikwu as Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council of University of Abuja “is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.” They are equally seeking an order compelling the Governing Council to observe merit and the provisions of the university miscellaneous Act and the Federal Character Commission’s Act and the 1st defendant’s Senate Rules in proceedings of the appointment of the post of the Vice-Chancellor. As a result the asked the court to make an order compelling the Governing Council to appoint the candidate with the highest score on his merit and performance in the screening and interview.
“A declaration that the 7th defendant’s purported appointment is in breach of the university Miscellaneous Act (2003 as amended).”
“A declaration that the 7th defendant’s purported appointment is in breach of the Senate Rules of the 1st defendant (University of Abuja).”
The defendants are equally seeking “An order of this Honourable Court compelling the Governing Council to observe merit and the provisions of the university miscellaneous Act and the Federal Character Commission’s Act and the 1st defendant’s Senate Rules in proceedings of the appointment of the post of the Vice-Chancellor.”
“An order of this Honourable Court compelling the Governing Council to appoint the candidate with the highest score on his merit and performance in the screening and interview”, among other reliefs.
In a thirty-four paragraph affidavit in support of the Originating Summons deposed to by one of the claimants, Dr. Raji Rasheed, the claimants are alleged that merit was not followed in appointment process that led to the emergence of Prof. Adikwu.
The claimants averred that out of a total of 123 candidates that applied to be appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, the
Board first shortlisted 10 candidates out of which they recommended the best three.
Although the claimants got an ex-parte order restraining the authorities of the university from the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor, the order came seven days after the appointment of Prof Adikwu had been approved by the President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Visitor of the University of Abuja.
Meanwhile, President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo affirmed that the matter will be assigned to a judge of the court and hearing notices will be served on parties.
