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Court bars JAMB from restricting underage students

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The Delta State High Court in Warri has stopped the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from enforcing its new rule that requires students to be at least 16 years old for university admissions.

This decision comes after a legal challenge against the board’s recent announcement, which said only candidates who turn 16 by August 2025 could gain admission to universities.

JAMB’s announcement on October 16 was part of a new policy from the education ministry that aims to set the minimum age for university students at 18.

However, there was an exception for students applying for the 2024/2025 school year.

John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former leader of the Nigerian Bar Association in Warri, filed the lawsuit on behalf of students born between September 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, who passed their JAMB exams this year.

The case is labeled W/311/FHR/2021 and names JAMB and Edwin Clark University as the respondents.

On Thursday, Justice Anthony Akpovi granted the requests from Aikpokpo-Martins, allowing the affected students to keep their admissions while the case is pending.

The court ruled that JAMB cannot enforce its new rule or take away admissions already granted, including that of Angel Aikpokpo Martins, one of the students affected.

Justice Olotu emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of these students, putting JAMB’s recent announcement on hold and maintaining the current admissions status until further proceedings.

The court also approved a faster handling of the case to ensure it is resolved quickly.

“111 is put in abeyance and on hold and the status quo to be maintained is the admission list prior to this circular pending the hearing of the originating motion dated and filed 24/10/24. Reliefs 3(a) and (b) are hereby granted for substituted service by courier service as prayed. Relief 4 for accelerated hearing is also granted”, the judgement read.

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Education

UTME 2019: Abuja Court Convicts ‘Professor’ for Impersonation

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November 3, 2024

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UTME 2019: Abuja Court Convicts ‘Professor’ for Impersonation

A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced ‘Professor’ Jide Josiah Jisos to six months in prison for impersonation during the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A statement by JAMB’s Head of Pubic Affairs, Fabian Benjamin,
Says Professor Jisos was apprehended by officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) while monitoring the 2019 UTME at Brix Academy in Abuja.

Jisos had presented himself to JAMB examination officials as representative of a non-governmental organization (NGO), claiming he was there to oversee the examination. However, his deception was uncovered when he was questioned by the leader of the monitoring team in the examination hall, who asked him to clarify his purpose.

Unable to substantiate his claims, Jisos was arrested and handed over to security personnel for further investigation. During interrogation, he confessed that he was not affiliated to any NGO and was actually in the examination hall to assist his daughter in taking the 2019 UTME.

Chief Magistrate Honourable Justice Folashade Oyekan found Jisos guilty of a one-count charge of impersonation and sentenced him to six months in prison, with an option of a N100,000 fine.

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ASUU Asks National Industrial Court To Nullify Appointments Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC, Registrar Over Alleged Illegality

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October 30, 2024

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ASUU Asks National Industrial Court To Nullify Appointments Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC, Registrar Over Alleged Illegality

 

They want the court to declare that the unilateral selection, appointment, and composition of the Selection Board for the appointment of the Registrar of the University on October 21, 2024 and the Vice Chancellor on October 29, is illegal, null and void, ultra vires, and of no effect.

 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra has filed a legal action against the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh and Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University.

In the suit filed on Tuesday October 29, at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in the Awka Judicial Division, marked suit no. NICN/AWK/52/2024, the Claimants sought among others order of perpetual injunction restraining the duo from parading themselves and/or performing the functions of the Registrar and Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

 

They want the court to declare that the unilateral selection, appointment, and composition of the Selection Board for the appointment of the Registrar of the University on October 21, 2024 and the Vice Chancellor on October 29, is illegal, null and void, ultra vires, and of no effect.

The Claimants avowed that the selection processes of their appointments violate sections 2, 2AA, 3 (2) and 10 of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 (as amended 2007 and 2012) and section 7 of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act 1992.

The Claimants also noted that the external members of the Governing Council can validly set the criteria of the qualification for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the University and Registrar and proceed to publish advertisement for the vacancy of the post without the full composition of the Council.

The suit which was filed by Onyeka B. Ehiwuogwu Esq., has Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji (Chairperson, ASUU NAU), Prof. Stanley C. Udedi and Prof. Greg Orji Obiamalu as 1st to 4th Claimants.

 

It indicated that (2nd-4th Claimants are suing for themselves and representing the interest of Concerned Members of Academic Staff Union of Universities Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who are members of the Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University).

 

Listed as the 1st to 14th Defendants are Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Pro-Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Amb. Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe (The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University); Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Registrar, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike; Prof. Kenneth Ngwoke; Prof. Anthony Okoye; Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe; Dr. Ngozi Obiekwe J.; Prof. Chigozie Damian Ezeonyejiaku; Prof Isaac Nwankwo and Dr. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 1st to 14th Defendants.

 

The Claimants in the Suit which commenced by way of originating summons, formulated 11 questions for determination and upon the resolutions of the questions, sought 25 reliefs from the court which borders on the nullification of the appointments.

 

Among the questions posed for determination is “Whether by the combined reading of sections 2, 2AA, 3 (2) and 10 of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 (as amended 2003, 2007 and 2012) and section 7 of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act 1992, the setting of criteria of qualification for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant and the publication of advertisement for the vacancy of the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant without the full composition of the 2nd Defendant is not illegal, null and void, ultra vires and of no effect?

 

“Whether by the combined reading of sections 2, 2AA, 7 and 10 of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 (as amended 2003, 2007 and 2012) and section 7 of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act 1992, the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) can unilaterally select, appoint, and compose the Selection Board for the Appointment of the Registrar of the 1st Defendant as done 21st October 2024?”

 

One of the reliefs the Plaintiffs sought is a court declaration that the external members of the 2nd Defendant lack the vires and authority to validly set the criteria of qualification for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant and proceed to publish advertisement for the vacancy of the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1 Defendant on 12th September 2024, without the full composition of the 2nd Defendant.

 

They also sought: “A declaration that the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) lacks the vires, authority and legal capacity to unilaterally select, appoint, and compose the Search Team for the Appointment of the Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant as done on the 22nd October 2024.

 

“A declaration that the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) lacks the vires, authority and legal capacity to unilaterally select, appoint, and compose the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board for the Selection and Appointment of Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant as done 22nd October 2024.

 

“A declaration that the unilateral selection, appointment, and composition of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board for the Selection and Appointment of the Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant, as done by the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) on 22nd October 2024 is Illegal, null and void, ultra vires, and of no effect.”

 

The Claimants also seek for “an order setting aside the criteria of qualification for the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant and the publication advertisement for the vacancy of the post of the Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant on 12th September 2024, which was done without the full composition of the 2nd Defendant.

 

“An Order setting aside the unilateral selection, appointment, and composition of the Search Team for the Appointment of the Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant, as done by the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) on 22nd October 2024.

 

“An Order setting aside the unilateral selection, appointment, and composition of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board for the Selection and Appointment of the Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant, as done by the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) on 22nd October 2024.

 

“An Order setting aside the illegal and illegitimate procedure set in motion for the selection and appointment of a Substantive Vice Chancellor for the 1st Defendant as imposed by the external members of the 2nd Defendant and the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant).

 

“An Order setting aside any such selection and appointment of any Substantive Vice Chancellor of the 1st Defendant by the illegal and illegitimate procedure set in motion for that purpose, as imposed by the external members of the 2nd Defendant and the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant).”

 

They also sought an “order of perpetual injunction restraining the 7th Defendant from parading herself and/or performing the functions of the Registrar, Nnamdi Azikiwe University pursuant to her illegitimate appointment by a Selection Board unilaterally selected, appointed and composed by the 3rd Defendant (acting in the person of the 4th Defendant) on 23rd October 2024.”

Meanwhile, a source in the school told SaharaReporters that the chairman of the Governing Council, Mbadiwe, was nominated by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma ensure the emergence of Odoh as the VC of the school.

“The plan is to install this Odoh to be the VC in preparation for 2027. The man is not even a professor,” the source added.

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Undergraduate Bags 14 Years Jail Term in Port Harcourt

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6 days ago

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October 30, 2024

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Undergraduate Bags 14 Years Jail Term in Port Harcourt

Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem forteen(14) years imprisonment for internet fraud.

He was jailed on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 upon arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on seven-count charges bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and impersonation.

One of the counts reads: “That you,
Henry Nathaniel Ekanem on or about 17th September, 2024, at Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Twenty Two United states of America dollars ($22) from Diana Roskov by
fraudulently representing yourself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud- Related Offences Act 2006.

He pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. Abubakar called witnesses, tendered some documents as evidence which were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits. He thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Counsel to the defendant, F. T. Fred-Boufini did not oppose the prayers by the prosecution. She rather prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that the defendant was a first time offender with no previous criminal records.

Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each of the seven -count or an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered that all the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the government, being proceeds of crime. The convict shall also depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

Ekanem started his journey to the Correctional Centre when he was arrested by operatives of the Commission sometime in September, 2024 at Choba, Port Harcourt, for internet fraud and other fraud-related activities. The convict successfully defrauded one Diana Roskov, among others, by fraudulently representing himself as Coran Capsha, manager of the singer, Chris Stapleton through WhatsApp and Instagram chats.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

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