Metro

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

Published

1 year 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

Edo Assembly Declares Okpebholo’s Projects Unprecedented

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

The Edo State House of Assembly has described projects embarked upon by Governor Monday Okpebholo as unprecedented in the history of Edo State.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, made the assertion when he led members of the legislature on a comprehensive oversight inspection of several ongoing infrastructural projects.

Other lawmakers on the oversight team included Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.

Hon. Osamwonyi, who spoke during an assessment tour of the Sapele Road Flyover, said the lawmakers were in the field to verify the progress of work and ensure that funds appropriated by the Assembly were being judiciously utilised.

According to him, the flyover represents a milestone for Benin City and reflects the governor’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.

He emphasised that unlike past administrations where funds were approved with no tangible results, the Okpebholo-led government had demonstrated transparency and visible delivery.

“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker added that the Assembly had earlier inspected the Ramat Park Flyover on Monday, noting similar levels of progress.

“This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong,” he said.

At Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road and Ekae Road—where a 14-kilometre road and concrete drainage network is underway—Hon. Osamwonyi described the construction efforts as unprecedented, expressing astonishment at the level of work done within a short period.

He insisted that the legislature does not play politics with accountability and would speak the truth at all times.

“If Governor Okpebholo was not doing well, we would say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people.l”, he noted.

He further remarked that despite limited financial resources, the governor had delivered projects many believed were impossible.

The Deputy Speaker recalled that several communities, particularly in Ogheghe, previously suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible, even for motorcycles.

“But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.

According to him, contractors handling the projects confirmed that although the initial timeline was two years, work would likely be completed within one year and six months due to the speed of implementation.

“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he added.

Hon. Osamwonyi stressed that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum.

“This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he said.

The oversight team also visited the 5.86-kilometre road project linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, where the engineer handling the project reported that 4.3 kilometres of drainage had already been completed.

Metro

Edo Final-year Student Dies In Sign-out Motorcade Crash

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be-identified final-year student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has lost his life in a road crash after he and some other students embarked on a motorcade parade to celebrate the completion of their final examinations.

It was learnt on Tuesday from a Facebook user, Inside Edo, that the accident occurred on Monday shortly after the students finished their final examination.

Inside Edo disclosed that the vehicle had attempted to overtake another before losing control and ramming into a truck.

The post read, “A tragic accident has occurred at Ujoelen, close to the primary school, resulting in the death of a newly graduated student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“According to eyewitnesses, the crash happened during an attempted overtaking by one of the vehicles involved.

“The risky manoeuvre reportedly led to a loss of control, causing the fatal incident. Residents who were nearby rushed to the scene, but the victim could not be saved.”

Similarly, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that the students were said to have been driving recklessly before crashing into a stationary truck.

The deceased was said to be part of a convoy made up of fresh graduates of the university.

NAN reported, “He was reportedly part of a convoy of fresh graduates who took to the highway on Monday shortly after their signing-out activities.

“Witnesses said the group drove recklessly and failed to observe basic safety rules during the celebrations.

“The tragedy occurred when the deceased attempted to overtake a moving truck but collided with a stationary vehicle parked along the road.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Cyril Mathew, proved abortive, as the official number available on the FRSC directory was not reachable at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, NAN reported that Mathew later confirmed the incident, adding that one person died while five others were injured in the crash.

“The students, after writing their last paper, took to the road in a convoy.

“In the process, one of them overtook another vehicle and rammed into a stationary truck,” NAN quoted Mathew as saying.

Metro

One Dies In Oyo Fire, Two Rescued

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2025

Editor

One person lost her life in a fire incident at Agbaakin Street, behind Testing Ground, Iwo Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

This was contained in a statement by the Chairman of the State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, in Ibadan, on Tuesday.

He said the fire resulted from a lighted charcoal cooking pot left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials.

Akinwande added that the firefighting operation was successfully carried out with the support of officers of the Federal Fire Service.

“The fire emergency was received at exactly 20:18 hours on Monday, December 8, 2025.

“On getting there, it was two rooms on the upper floor of a private residential building of 12 rooms engulfed by fire.

“One person (female) was recovered, while two persons (males) were rescued alive. The fire also affected only two rooms, and the whole building and other properties worth millions of naira were saved by the officers of the agency.

“The fire incident was a result of a lighted charcoal cooking pot left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials. The operation was jointly carried out with the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command,” he explained.

In a related development, a fire incident on Tuesday engulfed the Agric Business Development Agency at Total Garden in Ibadan.

A statement by the State Fire Service Chairman, Akinwande, said the agency received a telephone call through Mr Akinyinka reporting that fire had ravaged the place.

“The incident was reported at exactly 09:20hrs on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, through a telephone call by Mr Akinyinka (the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency) to the office, reporting a fire at the above-stated address.

“The officers, led by ACFS Oyeniyi Taofeek, swiftly mobilised and deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that electrical sparks from a solar inverter control board on the upper floor of the building resulted in the fire.

“The swift response and professional intervention of our officers prevented the situation from escalating into a fire disaster. The use of portable fire extinguishers was employed during the firefighting operation.

“No casualty was recorded, and properties worth millions of naira were saved by the fire service. The fire incident was a result of electrical sparks from the inverter system,” the statement read.

The chairman, therefore, advised the public to always use correct cables and other electrical materials for their installations.