Court Defiance: Ex-NUC Staffer Demands Action Against Top Officials

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is facing calls to sanction the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, and four senior officials for allegedly defying a binding court judgment. 

Mr Kunle Rotimi, a former NUC staff member, has accused the leadership of "criminal contempt" for failing to comply with a National Industrial Court (NIC) judgment ordering his reinstatement and payment of entitlements dating back to March 1996.

The NIC judgment, delivered on July 6, 2020, by Justice (Dr) I.J. Essien was further upheld by the Court of Appeal, Lagos, on June 28, 2024. 

Despite this affirmation, Rotimi stated that the NUC has yet to implement the ruling, more than a year later.

The officials named in the contempt proceedings alongside Prof. Ribadu 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.

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu

Following the appellate court’s decision, Rotimi initiated criminal contempt and committal proceedings. 

He also petitioned the Federal Ministry of Education, urging disciplinary measures in line with Public Service Rules (PSR). 

Rotimi cited PSR provisions mandating the suspension or interdiction of public officials involved in court actions, warning that their continued stay in office while allegedly flouting court orders "undermines justice and administrative ethics."

“The Ministry risks being seen as complicit if it fails to act,” Rotimi asserted, emphasising that persistent disregard for judicial orders violates the 1999 Constitution and erodes the rule of law. 

As of the time of filing this report, no response had yet to come from the defendants.

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