Unilorin: ASUU commends outcome of industrial court case

The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday hailed the outcome of the National Industrial Court, Akure on the two sacked lecturers of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state.

After a year legal tussle, the court presided over by Justice Abiola Adewemimo nullified sacking of the two lecturers, ASUU Chairman, Dr Kayode Afolayan and Secretary Solomon Oyelekan  and flawed the management of the University of Ilorin for sacking the duo without following due process and the rules of the institution.

Reacting to the judgement, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr Ade Adejumo and Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter, Dr. Deji Omole, described the ruling as a victory against tyranny and terrorism by the University of Ilorin administration.

According to the duo, ASUU as a law abiding union opted for the law-courts instead of taking laws into their hands.

The ASUU executives noted that by sacking the lecturers unjustly the University has inflicted emotional and psychological trauma on their members but thanked the court for upholding the truth and nipping the tyrannical decisions at Unilorin in the bud.

“The judge ordered that the duo of Afolayan and Oyelekan be reinstated with full benefits and they must not suffer any monetary loss/promotion and seniority as a consequence of the purported dismissal.

“They must be paid the balance of their half salaries during suspension and full salaries, all allowances and other benefits from the day of purported dismissal till date.

“Dr Afolayan and Oyelekan were also awarded a sum of N500,000 each by the court for aggravated damages caused by the purported dismissal of by the University of Ilorin authority.

“The university shall pay interest of 20 percent on the judge sum until totally liquidated. The University of Ilorin administration was berated for recklessly violating its own laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the ASUU leaders’ fundamental human rights to fair hearing. It therefore awarded a cost N100,000 against Unilorin  administration as legal costs.”