Justice For The UNILORIN Five

The Supreme Court ruling reinstating five of the 49 lecturers who were sacked by the University of Ilorin authorities is a triumph for the rule of law. The apex court is scheduled to give judgement in relation to the 44 other lecturers, five of whom have since died, in September.

The affected academics have every reason to feel truly vindicated. Their case has been pursued in and out of the courts since 2001, all appeals by concerned citizens and civil society groups to get the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin and the Federal Government to change their mind failed. ASUU, at the national level had also consistently defended the interest of the 49 lecturers. When the matter was brought up with President Yar'çdua in 2007, the official position was that the Federal Government could not interfere, because the matter was already in court.

It is just as well that reprieve and justive have come the way of the UNILORIN 49 at last. The present apex court ruling marks a triumph not just for five persons, but all 49. It will be useful to read the full text of the ruling by their Lordships, but given the details reported so far and the circumstances leading to the dismissal of the lecturers, what has been upheld is their right to protest, and their right to be treated fairly.

The 49 lecturers had refused to return to work, after they were ordered by the university authorities to opt out of a nationwide industrial strike by university teachers. Most UNILORIN lecturers rushed to sign the attendance register, and returned to work, but 49 lecturers stood their ground. Now the UNILORIN 49 have written their names in gold in the history of ASUU activism in Nigeria. Their victory is sweet. The court has ordered the payment to the five lecturers in the present case, all their full benefits, salaries and arrears since 2001 in addition to a total damages cost of N300, 000 against the university.

The big loser in this is the University of Ilorin as an educational institution. The dismissal of the 49 lecturers divided the academic staff in the university. It resulted in a contest of egos. And although the case has been and lost at the Supreme Court, the damage that has been done to human relationships, and to team spirit in the university and the local branch of ASUU may be irreparable. While the triumphant five are celebrating and looking forward to the ruling in the remaining suit involving the 44 others, those who conspired against them in the university must be gnashing their teeth.

Shortly after the judgement became public knowledge, the local branch of ASUU at the University of Ilorin issued a circular to its members which is shockingly laden with mischief and contempt. This is in bad taste. The circular states in part: "We acknowledge the pronouncement of the court and as a law abiding organisation, we are passing the information across to our people and the general public. They are our colleagues but it is only their attitude that has been the problem".

Was this circular written by a university teacher or a carpenter? Is ASUU-UNILORIN in a position to issue a counter-judgment? Their attitude has been the problem! Expressing an opinion, making a choice and going to court to defend that choice, by insting on one's right to fairness and justice certainly cannot be a problem. The Supreme Court of Nigeria does not think so. The present leadership of ASUU in UNILORIN must be careful not to be seen to be resisting the return of former leaders of the same association. There is too much politicking in Nigerian universities these days, with academics behaving like partisan Nigerian politicians.

Dr Saad Omo-Iya, current Chairman of UNILORIN ASUU is further quoted, when asked whether the local union is ready to welcome the victorious teachers back, as saying: "We shall see as things go but you know a judgement can be anything. We don't know what will happen." The Supreme Court judgement is clear enough: it is declarative and affirmative, without any ambiguities. And it should not be difficult to know what will happen. The five lecturers, except they choose otherwise, are free to return to their jobs, and the university authorities have no option other than to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court, the final court in the land. All the gladiators at the University of Ilorin should take a cue from this development and bury the hatchet. It would have been better if the university authorities and the local ASUU Branch were to devote energies to reports of academic excellence rather than squabbles and attitudes.

Robot  # 1 | 14.06.2009 09:36

Justice For The UNILORIN Five The Supreme Court ruling reinstating five of the 49 lecturers who were sacked by the University of Ilorin authorities is a triumph for the rule of law. The apex court is scheduled to give judgement in relation to the 44 other lecturers, five of whom have since died, in September. The affected academics have every reason to feel truly vindicated. Their case has been pursued in and out of the courts since 2001, all appeals by concerned citizens and civil society groups to get the Governing Council of the University of Ilorin and teh Federla Government to change their mind failed. ASUU, at the national level had also consistently defended the interest of the 49 lecturers. When the matter was brought up with President Yar'çdua in 2007, the official position was that the Federal Government could not interfere, because the matter was already in court. It is just as well that reprieve and justive have come the way of th...Read the full article.

omo naija  # 2 | 14.06.2009 10:10

"Was this circular written by a university teacher or a carpenter?" Congratulations to the sacked lecturers for getting their jobs back... but Reuben, what is wrong with being a carpenter? does it mean if you are a carpenter or learn a craft you cannot write properly? We have a problem in Nigeria, where people that learn trade are look down upon... these are the reasons our youths have continue to pursue paper qualifications without any value to society... you have to look to Germany, and even UK where those that learn craft never goes hungry. We should try to encourage our youths that not everybody must have a paper qualifications to carve out a niche for themselves, there should be dignity in whatever job a man does, as long as it put food on the table, we should stop this arrogant attitude, as if we are better than those that learn a trade... I for one have more respect for mechanics, plumbers, carpenters and others that can do things with their hands, than those that have nothing but big grammars. GOD BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AMEN.

Deebee  # 3 | 15.06.2009 18:02

=omo naija;363392>"Was this circular written by a university teacher or a carpenter?" Congratulations to the sacked lecturers for getting their jobs back... but Reuben, what is wrong with being a carpenter? does it mean if you are a carpenter or learn a craft you cannot write properly? We have a problem in Nigeria, where people that learn trade are look down upon... these are the reasons our youths have continue to pursue paper qualifications without any value to society... you have to look to Germany, and even UK where those that learn craft never goes hungry. We should try to encourage our youths that not everybody must have a paper qualifications to carve out a niche for themselves, there should be dignity in whatever job a man does, as long as it put food on the table, we should stop this arrogant attitude, as if we are better than those that learn a trade... I for one have more respect for mechanics, plumbers, carpenters and others that can do things with their hands, than those that have nothing but big grammars. GOD BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AMEN. Unfortunately, Omo Naija, it is generally and mostly true that professors speak much better grammar than carpenters - whether in the U.K. or in our Nigerian backyard. It will be a sad day when professors speak or reason like the kinds of carpenters we have in Nigeria. This is, of course, a generalization - which I am sure Abati meant. (I don't believe he was trying to deride or belittle the noble art of carpentry.) Besides, I'm sure there are professors whose level of intelligence is bested by many carpenters. However, your point is well taken. In all, let's savor this victory for justice in Nigeria. It is very rare, and the judges of the Supreme Court have won my highest respect in this case.