The leadership crisis surrounding Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) has taken a dramatic turn, with the allegedly removed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, filing a lawsuit against Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) for denying him the professorial promotion and employment as a substantive academic staff member.
Recall that Professor Odoh’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, which was endorsed by the university’s governing council and claimed to have followed due process, faced significant opposition from some factions within the institution. These critics alleged that the process was skewed in Odoh’s favor, fueling a media frenzy and political maneuvering that culminated in his purported removal from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his absence from the country. One of the primary accusations leveled against Professor Odoh was that he was not a professor— a supposed requirement for the Vice-Chancellor’s office at UNIZIK.
In the aftermath of these events, Federal University Gusau retracted its previous recognition of Odoh’s promotion, declaring that it had not awarded him a valid professorial rank. Observers have speculated that political influences may have led to this backtracking, despite Odoh presenting clear evidence of having been assessed by three eminent professors from various federal universities in Nigeria, who recommended his promotion to the rank of professor.
In response to this sudden reversal, Professor Odoh has now taken legal action, filing suit NICN/ABJ/434/2024 at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. He seeks to resolve the matter of his professorial credentials, asserting that the promotion was validly awarded by FUGUS. According to Odoh’s media office, a date for the hearing has yet to be set, but the professor is determined to pursue all lawful means to defend his academic record and reputation. He has pointed to political motivations behind the actions of those opposing him, suggesting that the current Vice-Chancellor of FUGUS, Professor Muazu Abubakar, may be succumbing to external pressures, possibly linked to ongoing conflicts at UNIZIK.
The media office further accused FUGUS’s leadership of succumbing to the interests of those attempting to tarnish Odoh’s illustrious career. The statement reads: “It is painfully evident that a concerted effort is underway to discredit Professor Odoh, whose reputation as an academic and former public officeholder remains unblemished. Despite this, he remains resolute in pursuing legal redress to clear his name and hold accountable those responsible for these damaging actions.”
The statement further highlights the following critical points: :
1. Credibility of Documents and Evidence
Professor Odoh affirms that all documents, evidence, and court depositions presented in the case are genuine and were obtained through legitimate means. He asserts that these documents were diligently sourced from those who had authority at the time he was employed by FUGUS. Odoh previously wrote to the Pro-Chancellor of the university, seeking clarification on the matter to safeguard both the university’s and his own reputation. He wishes to emphasize that, throughout his career, he has never engaged in forgery or misrepresentation of documents.
2. Failure of FUGUS to Respond
Despite receiving official correspondence from Odoh and acknowledging its receipt, FUGUS has failed to provide any formal response, either in hard or soft copy. Strangely, the university has since claimed that it has no records of Odoh’s employment files, further complicating the situation.
3. Political Interests Undermining Academic Integrity
Odoh suggests that the actions of some within FUGUS are being manipulated by external political interests, aiming to damage his longstanding academic and professional reputation. The university’s current administration, particularly the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar, have failed to act with the professionalism expected of academic leaders. Instead, they have made public insinuations that Odoh’s promotion was fraudulent, which Odoh vehemently denies.
4. Salary Payment and Employment Records
Professor Odoh reaffirms that he was officially employed by FUGUS with Staff Number: SP. 048 and that he was duly included in the university’s payroll system after meeting all the requisite conditions for employment. This is evidenced by the CBN NEFT Salary payments, which clearly indicate payment under the heading: “Salary from Federal University Gusau.” Odoh asserts that there was no collusion with the Bursar or any other staff to manipulate these records, as insinuated by the university’s management.
5. The Professorial Promotion
In response to claims that he was not promoted to the rank of professor, Odoh reasserts that he was indeed promoted to the highest academic rank following a thorough assessment process. This promotion was recommended by three assessors, two of whom remain active in the academic field: Professor P.O. Okeke (retired) of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and Prof Isaac Aiyegbogun of Edo State University, Ekpoma. Both professors, disturbed by the public allegations against Odoh, have provided affidavits in support of his promotion, which will be presented as certified court documents in the litigation.
6. Challenges to the Validity of Documents
The media office challenges FUGUS’s contention that the documents supporting Odoh’s promotion are invalid under the Evidence Act. Section 104 of the Evidence Act, 2011, clearly states that public officers who hold official records must provide certified copies upon request, with no need for the payment of legal fees. The fact that FUGUS has claimed that Odoh’s documents were not paid for does not diminish their authenticity, especially since the university’s former Registrar, who oversaw the records, certified them as genuine during his tenure.
7. Public Support and Ongoing Legal Battle
Finally, Professor Odoh expresses his heartfelt gratitude to his academic mentors, supporters, and the Nigerian public for their unwavering support during these challenging times. He points out that despite numerous audits conducted on his career, including 32 separate investigations after his resignation as Ebonyi State’s SSG, he has always emerged unscathed, with his integrity intact. He remains confident that justice will ultimately prevail.
“Thank you all for your wise counsel, kind words, prayers, and well-wishes. As I always say: ‘ *What lies ahead of us is far greater than what lies behind .’”
