A lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Chris Abakare, has dragged the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Unizik chapter, to an Anambra State High Court, alleging unlawful exclusion from contesting the union election held in Awka, Anambra state.
The chairmanship aspirant in the July 11 ASUU-NAU elections, Dr Chris Abakare, who is the plaintiff complained that Dr Stephen Ufoaroh who was declared the winner in the election be restrained from parading himself as chairman.
Abakare, in the suit No.A/295/2018 file by his lawyer, O.M. Madukaife, in the court sitting in Awka, argued that he was unjustly disqualified from contesting in the election and prayed the court to set aside the exercise.
He said the defendants in the case include, Prof Dennis Aribodor (immediate past chairman), Dr Stephen Ufoaroh ( branch chairman), Prof Okey Agu, Dr Okechukwu Nwafor and Kinsley Ubaoji.
The matter which was brought before Justice C.A. Emembolu on yesterday, for hearing was transferred to another court due to Emembolu’s imminent retirement from service soon.
Abakare said, “ Ufoaroh who was declared the winner in the election be restrained from parading himself as chairman.
“I met all the requirements to participate in the election but was wrongfully disqualified based on what he called election malpractice resulting from proposed guideline introduced after the process of the election had begun.
“My purported disqualification was rescinded through a memo dated June 28, 2018, signed by the chairman and secretary of the electoral committee, Prof Okey Ogu and Dr Okechukwu Nwafor, respectively, after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,” insisting that he was surprisingly disqualified again in a document signed on June 29, 2018, and signed by the chairman of the committee alone.
He urged the court to consider the constitution and guidelines of ASUU-NAU branch and determine whether his disqualification and conduct of the election were not illegal unlawful and unconstitutional.
Some of the reliefs sought include, “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 a fresh election for ASUU-NAU in accordance with its constitution and code of practice and supplementary rules n branch elections.”