A lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (Unizik), Dr. Chris Abakare, has taken his case of unjust disqualification from election against the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to an Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka.

The plaintiff who prayed the court to set aside the exercise said that he was unjustly disqualified having met all the requirements to participate in the election.

Recall that Bakare was a chairmanship aspirant in the July 11 ASUU-NAU elections but was disqualified based on what he described as election malpractice resulting from ‘proposed’ guideline introduced after the process of election had begun.

In a suit No.A/295/2018, filed by his lawyer, O.M. Madukaife, the plaintiff prayed the court to set aside the exercise for reasons of his unjust disqualification.

He explained that his purported disqualification was rescinded through a memo dated June 28, 2018, signed by the chairman and secretary of the electoral committee, Prof Okey Ogu and Dr. Okechukwu Nwafor, respectively, after he protested.

“I was surprisingly disqualified again in a document signed on June 29, 2018, and signed by the chairman of the committee alone,” he said.

Defendants in the matter include Prof Dennis Aribodor (immediate past chairman), Prof Okey Agu, Dr Okechukwu Nwafor, Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh (current branch chairman) and Dr Kinsley Ubaoji

According to Abakare, the declared winner of the said election, Dr. Stephen Ufoaroh should be restrained from parading himself as chairman.

He urged the court to do a community reading of the Nigerian constitution, ASUU-NAU election guidelines and determine whether his disqualification and subsequent conduct of the election were not illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

His originating summons read in part “A declaration that his declaration by the 1st and 2nd defendants contrary to the provisions of ASUU constitution and supplementary rules on branch elections is illegal, unconstitutional and of no effect.

“An order setting aside the purported election of ASUU-NAU held on July 11, 2018, in relation to the office of the chairperson and restraining the 5th defendant from parading himself pending the conduct of fresh election for the office of chairperson.

“An order mandating the 1st and 2nd defendants to conduct fresh election for ASUU-NAU in accordance with its constitution and code of practice and supplementary rules.

The matter which was brought before Justice C.A. Emembolu on Tuesday for hearing was however transferred to another court due to Emembolu's expected retirement.

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