ASUU hails court for reinstating sacked Unilorin lecturers

The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday 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.

The court flawed the management of the University of Ilorin for sacking the duo without following due process.

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

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

He said: “The judge ordered that the duo of Afolayan and Solomon 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 five hundred thousand naira each by the court for aggravated damages caused by their purported dismissal 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 fare hearing. The therefore awarded a cost one hundred thousand again unilorin administration as legal costs”.