The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to grant 214 students ejected from the institution's Law faculty access to lectures, academic portals, and other facilities. This decision was made pending the determination of the students' suit. According to the students' lawyer, Judge Joyce Abdulmalik issued an interlocutory injunction directing the university authorities to grant the affected students unrestricted access.
The judge issued the interim order after hearing arguments from lawyers representing the students and the university. The university's lawyer, Jonas Abuo, stated that the defendants were unable to file a response due to the absence of the vice chancellor and registrar, who had traveled abroad. Abuo had filed a conditional memorandum of appearance and requested an adjournment to allow the defendants to respond.
However, the students' lawyer, Bernard Okpi, opposed the application, citing that the defendants had been served on August 24 and had exhausted the statutory 30-day period to file a response. Okpi urged the court to proceed with the hearing or award N2 million in costs if an adjournment was granted. The court ultimately granted the interlocutory injunction and adjourned the case to November 25 for hearing.
The suit was filed by 214 students who were announced for removal from the Law faculty by UNICAL in August. The university claimed that only 221 of the 435 second-year students were officially admitted into the Law program, while the remaining 214 had entered from other departments. The affected students would not be eligible for admission to the Nigerian Law School under their existing admission status.
The students argue that UNICAL had admitted them into Law, accepted their fees, registered them for Law courses, and allowed them to sit for examinations. They also claim that the university later instructed them to undergo JAMB regularization, which they completed after paying the required fees. The students are seeking N5 billion in damages and asking the court to protect their continued studies in the Law program.
The students' lawyer, Okpi, appeared in court with Confidence Mbang, Bennedict Otu, Udoh Ekananem, and Kenneth Ibobo. The university and other defendants were represented by Abuo and Akiba Eyo Veronica. The court's decision allows the students to continue attending lectures and accessing academic facilities until the suit is determined.
The case has significant implications for the students' future academic prospects. If the court rules in their favor, they may be able to continue their studies in the Law program and pursue a career in law. Conversely, if the court rules against them, they may be forced to seek alternative academic paths. The university's decision to eject the students from the Law faculty was based on their admission status, but the students claim they were not informed of the implications of their admission.
Key points
- The Federal High Court has ordered UNICAL to grant 214 ejected Law students access to lectures and academic facilities pending the determination of their suit.
- The university had claimed that the students were not officially admitted into the Law program, while the students argue that they were admitted and had completed required courses.
- The court's decision allows the students to continue their studies until the suit is determined, with the case adjourned to November 25 for hearing.
