By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) EBSU Chapter, Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, has shared the traumatic ordeal he faced following unjust accusations and suspension by Ebonyi State University.
In an exclusive interview with SpringNews Correspondent, Dr. Igwenyi expressed gratitude for the court’s validation but unveiled the personal toll endured during the court process, including deprivation, humiliation, and financial strain on his family.
Recall, Industrial court had earlier ordered Ebonyi State University to pay the sum of 6 million naira each to Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi and Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi and recall the suspended members.
Reflecting on the period leading up to the court proceedings, Dr. Igwenyi recounted the psychological torment of being barred from the university where he invested two decades of his life. He also revealed the severe impact on his family, citing the destruction of their business and the threats they faced.
He expressed disappointment on the part of members he led, has many abandoned him in the face of trials, as only few stood their grounds. Stating “I felt hurt above all by even people I’m leading, people who said I should take that position. The same persons abandoned the leader and continued to go to work. They kept mute and never altered a word. ”
“Some of them have even formed themselves into a political group called Divine Mandate Professors and Lecturers,” he added.
Acknowledging the few union members who stood by the principles, Dr. Igwenyi shed light on their struggles, including salary denials and owed dues. He emphasized the injustice of the university withholding check-off dues and the unlawful suspension.
“However, I want to also appreciate some persons in the union, there are some ardent believers of the union policies, principles who stood their grounds, that the right thing must be done, today there are suffering, some of them have been denied promotions, salaries, in fact after several efforts they were almost on their knees and about 21 of them have been owed their 4 month salaries till today for participating in the four month strike of last year, 21 people are being owed salaries, all the members of EXCO amongst the 21 members are being owed.” He said
Despite the court’s ruling on September 7th, Dr. Igwenyi disclosed that two months later, the university is yet to officially recall him and others affected. Expressing concern over the lack of response from university officials and the governor, he emphasized the legal implications.
“Our lawyer had to go the extra mile to hear from the vice chancellor that his clients have not been recalled. There was no response. Already at it is, it is a contempt of court, it is now beyond what anybody has said, the court has stated, it has two options, either execute the order of the court or challenge it and they have seven days window period to challenge it and the seven days has longed elapsed and there is no appeal.” He stated.
When SpringNews contacted the Vice Chancellor regarding the situation, he maintained that he doesn’t have comment on the issues.