From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Mr Rex Michael Ademu has appealed to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to restrain Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka from promoting Mr Bernard Odoh to the professorial cadre.
The claimant, through his lawyer, Levi Chiefuna Esq of Unicorn Acoms Legal Practitioners, sought the relief from the Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/AWK/35/2025; copies of which are made available to journalists.
The defendants are Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Carol Arinze Umobi(the Acting Vice Chancellor) and Mr Bernard Odoh refered to as first, second and third defendants respectively.
The four claims sought by the Claimant are:
“A declaration that under the applicable laws, regulations, university statues and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Staff conditions of service, the appointments and promotions committee of the first defendant which is chaired by second defendant is mandatorily required to consider, appraise and evaluate the integrity of any staff seeking promotion from the first defendant to the tank of professor.
“A declaration that the third defendant’s alleged fraud which is claiming to be a Professor of the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS) in Zamfara State which said claim has been disclaimed, discredited and dismissed by FUGUS, has sufficiently impugned and discredited the third defendant’s integrity and character and accordingly, the third defendant is not qualified to hold or appointed to the office of Professor in the first defendant.
“An order directing the first and second defendants to investigate the various facts impugning the third defendant’s integrity including being involved in partisan politics while being employed by the first defendant and the alleged presentation of false documents purporting to establish the third defendant’s prior employment or professorial status at FUGUS and take appropriate disciplinary or criminal actions as may be necessary against the third defendant.
“An order of injunction restraining the first and second defendants from recognizing, promoting, or appointing the third defendant to the position of professor or a related academic/administrative role pending the outcome of such investigations as in relief 3.”
Mr Ademu contention is that appointment of Mr Odoh as a Professor will greatly offend Chapter 5.3(a)(iii) of the Condition of Service which requires integrity as one of the three major criteria for appointments and promotions the University.