Former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Bernard Odoh has dragged the Minister of Education, Morufu Alausa to court over his removal from office.
Odoh is seeking a court order to halt any further steps to reconstitute the university’s Governing Council until the court decides on his case.
President Bola Tinubu had dissolved the Governing Council of the university on November 20, 2024, leading to the removal of Odoh and Registrar, Rosemary Nwokike. However, Odoh, who previously served as Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, is challenging the legality of his dismissal.
In an ex-parte application filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Odoh who also joined the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu, is seeking an order to restrain Ikechebelu from acting as the Vice-Chancellor pending the determination of the case.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/82/2025, was filed on January 20, 2025. The defendants listed include the Minister of Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the acting Vice-Chancellor.
Odoh’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chimezie Kingsley Okorie, has requested several interim court orders, stopping the Minister of Education from reconstituting the university’s Governing Council; preventing the acting Vice-Chancellor from continuing in office and halting any actions related to the Vice-Chancellor’s office until the court decides on the matter.
The application is based on five key arguments, including the principle that legal matters should not be interfered with while in court. Odoh also expressed concerns that the defendants might disregard court processes.
N0 date has been set for hearing of the application.
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