Court reinstates sacked UNILORIN lecturers as ASUU hails judgement

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commended the National Industrial Court, Akure, for reinstating the sacked lecturers of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

The affected lecturers were executives of the ASUU in the institution. Both ASUU Chairman, Dr Kayode Afolayan and Secretary, Solomon Oyelekan, were illegally sacked by the authorities of the institution on September 19, 2017.

After a year legal battle, the court presided over by Justice Abiola Adewemimo described the sacking as illegal because it contravened due process and the rules of the institution.

The judge also chastised the institution for violating the rights of the respondent to a fair hearing, declaring the action of the university as oppressive, dictatorial, tyrannical and a miscarriage of justice. 

She ordered the immediate reinstatement of the sacked lecturers and the payment of their entitlements to date and other benefits which they are entitled to.

Reacting to the Judgement, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr Ade Adejumo and Chairman of the University of Ibadan, 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 Comrades 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.