Metro

Crisis Brews In UNN As Court Restrains Varsity From Conducting Convocation Election

Published

10 months ago

December 1, 2024

A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu State on Thursday, restrained the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, from conducting a convocation election until the determination of a suit brought before it by some aspirants in the election following an alleged breach of the Standing Orders of Proceedings of the Convocation election by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Polycarp Chigbu.

The plaintiffs in a suit number FHC/E/CS/217/2024, stated that Professor Chigbu breached sections 20 and 22 of the Standing Orders of the Convocation as he allegedly changed some procedures of the election without a properly constituted convocation meeting.

A source who pleaded for anonymity said “On the 7th of November, 2024 and as required by law, the University of Nigeria published the procedures for a convocation meeting where the convocation representatives in the University of Nigeria Governing Council will be elected. However, while the Registrar of the University was away on an official duty, the Ag. Vice Chancellor, in what many members of the University described as an “act of rascality and a gestapo style of impunity,” truncated the process by unilaterally publishing a completely set of different procedures on 21st November, 2024 without reference to subsisting publication of 7th November and the Standing Order of Proceedings of the convocation, an action many perceive as geared towards favouring his close associate.”

It was gathered that the standing orders of the convocation restrains anyone, including the Vice Chancellor from changing any part of its proceedings without a properly constituted convocation meeting. Part of the orders reads “the standing orders may be amended by notice of a motion in writing. Such motion shall be carried by two-thirds members of convocation present and voting.”

Another source in the University also said “Considering all these observed anomalies, the aspirants approached the Court. During the Court proceedings on Thursday 28 November, 2024, evidence of services of the court processes on the defendants’, which included the University of Nigeria, Ag. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu, and the Convocation, were presented to the Court. After listening to the presentations, the Judge adjourned the matter, but emphatically said that the University of Nigeria, as federal institution, should be aware that proceeding further with any of the process that is being challenged in court, having being duly served, is not acceptable in law. The Judge’s position is completely in line with the well established tradition in law, which requires all parties to stay action on matters pending before a court of competent jurisdiction. However, the current Ag. Vice Chancellor has little regard for the rule of law.”

One of the plaintiffs who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity called on the Pro-Chancellor of the University, General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), not to allow his reputation to be soiled by the Acting Vice Chancellor.

He equally urged General Nwachukwu to save the University from the brewing crisis by ensuring that the proceedings of the convocation election follow due process in accordance with the law and the standing orders of the convocation of the University.

He stated that the Acting Vice Chancellor’s consultation of stakeholders in the University to change the standing orders of convocation is “fraudulent tactics” as stakeholders are not an organ of the University.

“Members of the Senate are members of the convocation and the Vice Chancellor never mentioned such matter in any of the Senate meeting. Which stakeholder is bigger than the Senate of the University and the Convocation itself”?

Sources who spoke to our reporter agreed that there may be a need to reform the convocation election, but that such reform should be done in accordance with the laws and standing orders of the University.

They stated that the way and manner the Ag. Vice Chancellor is pursuing the current election raises a lot of suspicion and points to an ulterior motives.

Inquires made by our correspondent about the company, ARROW FAST LIMITED Rg No. 1408710, which has been hired to undertake the online registration and conduct the online voting raises even more questions about the integrity and fairness of the entire process. It was gathered that the company has never undertaking any of such projects before.

The Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Barrister C. D Eze, told our reporter that whatever UNN does with regards to the election is subject to the decision of the court since it has been served.

“After moving our application in the court, the judge asked whether we have served UNN. When we answered in the affirmative, the judge said that whatever UNN does with the election is subject to the decision of the court since the institution is aware of the case.

“We didn’t get injunction because UNN was not in court that day,” he said.

When contacted, the UNN’s Legal Adviser, Barr. M.A Obayi, declined to comment on the matter.

It was gathered that January 15, 2025 has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

Metro

Ondo: VP Mysteriously Disappears From Hotel After Attending Seminar

Published

6 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Olaloye Olatunde, Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School, Owo, Ondo State, mysteriously disappeared from a hotel after attending a seminar in Akure, the state capital.

It was gathered that only his personal belongings were discovered inside the hotel room where he lodged for the seminar after his mysterious disappearance.

He reportedly travelled from Owo to Akure to attend a Child Labour Programme organised by Trace Project, Akure, in partnership with Charakids Foundation.

The victim’s wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, said he called her after checking into a Hotel in Alagbaka, where all other participants lodged.

According to her “We spoke regularly until Wednesday.

“By Friday, his phone was no longer reachable. The seminar was supposed to end that day, but I never heard from him again.”

”I was the one who arranged his bag before he travelled. That same bag was what they later found in his hotel room. Sadly, they had already packed it out without telling me.”

Also, speaking of the ugly incident, Olaoyes elder brother, Zacheus Olaloye, said “When my brother’s wife called me that she hadn’t seen my brother, I went to the hotel.

“The staff initially told me that all participants had checked out.

“But later I discovered the bag they said was abandoned was my brother’s own, with his clothes and shoes still inside.”

Zacheus, a retired civil servant, lamented that “We tried to preview the footage, but nothing worked. Later, the management showed us a grainy video of a man walking out of the premises. But that wasn’t my brother. The figure wasn’t clear at all.”

He added, sadly, that neither the organisers of the seminar nor the hotel have reached out to the family formally after Olatunde disappeared.

“The matter was reported to the police by the family at the Zone 17 AIG office, before we were directed to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

“The hotel management has not called us, and the organisers have done nothing tangible to help us find my brother. We are the ones chasing everyone. They should help us.”

Speaking on the matter, the manager of the hotel, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, and a staff, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, said that all participants were well accounted for until Friday evening.

Ekpeyong said that “On August 24, 49 participants arrived, later increasing to 58. On Friday, we organised an Asun Night for them, as part of our hospitality package.

“Some left that night, while others checked out on Saturday,” Adebayo explained.

On her part, Mrs Adebayo said “one facilitator instructed the hotel to clear the belongings in Room 305, claiming the occupant had travelled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers.

“We used our master card to open the room, packed the bag, and documented it. Later we were told it was the vice principal’s bag.”

“From our CCTV, we saw him on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday morning, August 28, at exactly 6:17 a.m., when he walked out of the hotel and never returned. That is why the room was eventually opened.”

Contacted, the state police command spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, said that “the command has launched an investigation into the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

” The command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden disappearance,

“We call on members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist us in unraveling the case.”

Ayanlade has however, assured members of the public that police detectives would unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of the Vice Principal.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

Published

6 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a single raid targeted at cannabis cultivators in the state.

Edo State State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, while giving a brief on the recent dislodgement of the cannabis plantation cell, disclosed that the operation was carried out on September 11, 2025, at Ugbogui Forest, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

Ofoyeju, who warned that the ugly development constitutes a serious threat to food security in the state, said: “The massive cannabis farm destruction operation which was based on actionable intelligence is posing a serious threat to food security.

“If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed.”

“This operation obviously underscores the agency’s commitment to combatting drug cultivation in the State, thereby reinforcing our efforts to rid our communities of the dangers posed by illicit drugs.

“The Edo State Command has taken a bold step to cut off the illicit supply of cannabis with the destruction of a vast Cannabis sativa plantation spanning approximately 6.79 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 16,966 kilograms.

“At the farm, we successfully recovered one hundred and twelve bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms in the farm,” Mitchell stated.

“Four male suspects linked to the cannabis plantation were apprehended during the operation while taking refuge at their tents located within the farm. Three of them are from Akwa Ibom State, while one hails from Delta State. They have been identified as Ebenizer E. Wang, 48 years old, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Oshare John, 45 years old, from Ughelli South, Delta State. Others are Emmanuel Monday, 29 years old, from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and David Sunday, 30 years old, from Ugad, Akwa Ibom State.”

The NDLEA commander, while stating that investigations are underway, said the suspects are expected to face charges in court soon.

Ofoyeju, who urged members of the public to continue providing intelligence to assist in the fight against drug-related crimes, stated that the NDLEA remains vigilant in promoting public health and safety.

Metro

Edo Police Recover N300, 000 Extorted By Officers, To Discipline Culprit

Published

7 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it has recovered N300, 000 extorted from a furniture maker
by the officers attached to the Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Yamu disclosed that officers involved in the extortion have been detained, adding that they would face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has taken decisive action following a video circulated on social media by an influencer in Edo State alleging the extortion of the sum ₦300,000 from a furniture maker by some officers attached to Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

“The officers involved have been promptly identified, the money has been fully recovered and returned to the victim, while the said officers have been detained and are to face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

“In addition, stern administrative measures have been taken against the Oba Market Area Command to ensure professionalism, discipline, and respect for the rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties.”

Yamu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged members of the public to report any unprofessional conduct by officers and men of the command to the Public Complaints Bureau or the Complaints Response Unit through 08150999335 and
08100389992.

He added, “The Command assures the good people of Edo State that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in service delivery.”