A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and counsel to the University of Abuja, Wole Olanipekun, said yesterday that there was no order from the National Industrial Court restraining the new vice-chancellor, Prof Michael Umale Adikwu, from performing his functions.
He said: “Nothing can be farther from the truth, because at no time did the National industrial Court presided over by Justice B.A. Adejumo, or any judge make any order restraining the vice chancellor.
“Put in more direct terms, neither is there any trouble in the University of Abuja nor any order restraining the vice chancellor, who was appointed by the Council on June 30, from performing the functions of his office.
“Furthermore, contrary to some publications, there was no order of the National Industrial Court made on or dated Thursday, July 10, or any Thursday whatsoever.
Three lecturers from the university had dragged the university authorities before the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja over the appointment of Prof. Adikwu.
In an originating summons dated July 2, 2014, the three lecturers, Dr. Raji Rasheed, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammed and Dr. Okoli Ifeanyi, had through their counsel, Mr. Mahmud A. Magaji, 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.
The lecturers also alleged 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.”
