VC tussle: Medical association sues UNIZIK, others

VC tussle: Medical association sues UNIZIK, others

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has filed a lawsuit against Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, and other parties, contesting the appointment of the institution’s next vice chancellor (VC).

The plaintiffs in the case include the Incorporated Trustees of MDCAN at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and Dr. Victor Modekwe. They have asked the court to issue a perpetual injunction barring Prof. Carol Umobi or anyone else from assuming the role of VC at NAU, Awka, Anambra State.

Filed under case number NICN/ABJ/383/2024, the suit further seeks to prevent the university, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Federal Ministry of Education from recognizing any appointee, including Prof. Umobi, as the legitimate vice chancellor.

Other respondents named in the lawsuit include the university’s Governing Council, Prof. Umobi, and the acting Registrar, Mr. Victor Modebelu.

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The plaintiffs, through their lawyer, J.I. Ekeoma, issued a letter on October 25 to Prof. Umobi and the university, emphasizing the need to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the legal proceedings. The letter provided a detailed account of events leading up to the suit, alleging that the selection process unfairly discriminated against Dr. Modekwe and other professionals from the medical and dental fields.

The plaintiffs claimed that the university council published an advertisement on September 12, 2024, in Vanguard Newspaper, outlining requirements they argue were designed to exclude candidates from the Faculties of Medicine and Basic Clinical Sciences from applying for the VC position.

The plaintiffs also asserted that when MDCAN challenged the exclusion, the university advised the association to seek clarification from the NUC regarding whether a medical fellowship could be considered equivalent to a Ph.D. for the purpose of eligibility.

The lawyer representing the claimants stated that despite several appeals, the university continued to proceed with the appointment process under the conditions outlined in the contested advertisement.

In the suit, the claimants asked the court to declare that a medical fellowship, as the pinnacle of a medical career, should be regarded as equivalent to a Ph.D. for the purposes of eligibility. They further argued that Dr. Modekwe, as a holder of such a fellowship, is qualified to participate in the selection process and that his exclusion is illegal and unconstitutional.

The plaintiffs also requested the court to void the September 12, 2024, advertisement published in Vanguard, arguing that it deviated from the criteria used in the 2019 VC selection process.

Additionally, they demanded that any appointment made based on the disputed advertisement be declared invalid, emphasizing that the publication constitutes “an illegality.”

VC tussle: Medical association sues UNIZIK, others