Court begins contempt proceedings against FUOYE VC and Registrar

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has commenced contempt proceedings against the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, and the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim.

The contempt suit is in connection with Omonijo Akinyemi Gabriel VS Federal University Oye-Ekiti (NICN/AK/21/2019), in which Dr. Akinyemi Gabriel Omonijo, Chairman of FUOYE branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is contesting his indefinite suspension as a result of union activities.

Both parties had committed to out-of-court settlement that would see Dr. Omonijo being unconditionally reinstated but FUOYE Management allegedly failed to comply by introducing conditionalities for Dr. Omonijo’s recall.

When the contempt proceedings started before His Lordship, Hon. Justice K. D Damulak at the NICN, Akure, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, the claimant was present in court while Dr. Dayo Sobowale, Special Adviser to FUOYE VC, represented the defendants.

Mr. Taiwo Omidoyin Esq. from Falana & Falana’s Chambers appeared for the claimant while Mr. T. S. Adegboyega Esq. from the Chambers of T. S. Adegboyega & Company appeared for the respondents.

Counsel to the claimant mentioned clauses introduced by the defendant (FUOYE) into the letter of reinstatement of appointment written to his client (claimant) as follows:

(i) that his client (claimant) was only suspended without pay from the University in February 2019 contrary to the dismissal mentioned in the letter of reinstatement of appointment written by the University.

(ii) You should sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour henceforth. (iii) A letter of advice be served on you to desist from any act of misconduct that could disrupt the current peace and tranquility that is being enjoyed in the University.

The Presiding Judge directed the counsel to the respondents to read out both the Consent Judgment of the Court and letter of reinstatement of appointment written by the university to the claimant to the court to know whether the letter of reinstatement of appointment sent to the claimant complied with the Consent Judgment of the Court.

Subsequently, His Lordship advised the respondents’ counsel to advise his clients to do the needful regarding the letter of reinstatement of appointment of the Claimant in line with the Consent Judgment of the Court.

After the submissions of counsel of both parties, Hon. Justice K. D Damulak adjourned the case to October 13, 2022.