Education Minister Urged to Sanction NUC Head, Others for Contempt of Court
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has been called upon to discipline the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abdullahi Ribadu, along with four other senior officials, for allegedly ignoring a court ruling issued by the National Industrial Court.
Mr Kunle Rotimi, a former employee of the NUC, made this appeal, accusing the commission’s leadership of “criminal contempt” for not enforcing the judgement that ordered his reinstatement and the payment of his entitlements dating back to March 1996.
The other individuals named in the contempt case include Deputy Executive Secretary Mr Chris Maiyaki, Director of Finance Mrs Hauwa Amos, Director of Human Resources Mrs Victoria Omorodion, and Deputy Director of Legal Services Mr Paschal Eruaga.
Justice (Dr) I.J. Essien of the National Industrial Court in Lagos had ruled on July 6, 2020, in case NICN/LA/646/2018, that Mr Rotimi should be reinstated and fully compensated.
The NUC challenged the judgement at the Court of Appeal but lost on June 28, 2024. In the lead ruling, Justice Folasade Ayodeji Ojo, in case number CA/LAG/CV/997/2020, upheld the earlier decision and directed immediate compliance.
However, more than a year after the appeal court ruling, the commission has not acted on the judgement. This has led Mr Rotimi to begin contempt and committal proceedings against the five officials. He also notified the Ministry of Education and requested disciplinary action based on the Public Service Rules (PSR).
In his letter to the education minister, Rotimi referenced the PSR provisions that require public officials facing court cases to be suspended or interdicted.
Rotimi, a former journalist, argued that allowing the officials to remain in office while government resources are used to defend contemptuous actions undermines justice and breaches administrative ethics.
“Consequently, upon the above facts, I humbly plead with the Hon Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to apply with the PSR against the NUC officials,” Rotimi said in a statement.
He further warned that the Education Ministry itself could be viewed as complicit in the contempt by allowing the officials to remain in office despite the ongoing legal actions.
Rotimi stressed that the NUC’s repeated refusal to obey court orders is a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and undermines the rule of law.
