The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Professor Ediga Bede Agbo, has asked the National Industrial Court Markurdi, to declare his removal unlawful.
In the right suit, Professor Agbo insisted that the plan by the defendants to replace him jeopardizes his reputation and disrupts university governance.
Specifically, he wants an order of the Court nullifying all decisions taken as well as all acts done, at the said invalid meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo held on the 29th day of November, 2024.
He, therefore, pledged to pay damages to the tune of N2,5 million, if the injunction is deemed unnecessary at the end of the trial.
Also mentioned as the defendants in the matter are the Honourable Minister of Education, the university’s Senate, and its Governing Council.
Professor Agbo, who was appointed on October 17, 2024, claims that his removal is without justification challenging an attempt to appoint Professor Stephen Obekpa Abah, a non-staff member, as the Acting Vice Chancellor.
He wants interlocutory orders of the court for recognition of appointments through a directive for the university to maintain his position as Acting Vice Chancellor, with all accompanying rights and privileges.
He also wants an order of injunction preventing the defendants from appointing Professor Abah or any other individual as the Acting Vice Chancellor pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
In an affidavit in support of his claims, deposed by him, the defendant maintained that his appointment aligns with statutory provisions as the most senior professor at FUHSO.
He challenges the validity of Professor Abah’s earlier appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor, citing a lack of Senate approval.
He further alleges that Professor Abah, still affiliated with Ambrose Alli University and without a formal transfer to FUHSO, does not meet eligibility requirements.
In conclusion, he submitted that the university’s actions threaten to destabilize academic and administrative operations, undermining due process.
In the originating summon, the plaintiff wants the court to determine:
Whether or not having regard to relevant sections of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (Establishment) Act, 2022, the Registrar of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo can hold any valid Meeting of the Senate of the University without issuing a Notice of such a Meeting to the Claimant, who is the Acting Vice Chancellor and most Senior Professor at the University and therefore a Statutory Member of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Whether or not the outcome of any meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, convened without giving the Claimant Notice of such a meeting, is not invalid and therefore, null and void.
Upon the determination of the above questions, the Plaintiff wants the court to declare that the Claimant, being the Acting Vice-Chancellor and most senior professor at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo is a statutory member of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo and entitled to receive Notices of all Meetings of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
He also wants the court to declare that the Meeting of the Senate of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo held on the 29th day of November, 2024 is invalid and all decisions taken and all acts done, at the said invalid meeting are therefore null and void.
