Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The National Industrial Court (NIC) has ruled in favor of ASUU EBSU, demanding that Ebonyi State University pays a compensation fee of 6 million naira to ASUU EBSU Chairman, Professor Ikechukwu Okorie Igwenyi, and Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi for the unjust proscription of the union’s activities.
In Suit No: NICN/ABK/08/202, the court, presided over by His Lordship Hon. Justice O.O Arowosegbe in Abakaliki, declared the university’s actions unconstitutional and null, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
The court reinstated ASUU EBSU and its representatives, including Prof. Ikechukwu and Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, stressing that university officials lacked the authority to prohibit ASUU’s activities.
Matters related to trade unions, protected by Section 40 of the Constitution and the Trade Union Act, fall within the Exclusive Legislative List, limiting the university officials’ jurisdiction, the court noted.
The ruling mandated the immediate reinstatement of suspended ASUU EBSU chairman, Prof. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, and other members, along with the unsealing of ASUU’s Secretariat at the CAS campus.
Moreover, the university was instructed to release withheld check-off dues from November 2021 and welfare dues from March 2022 until the date of judgment.
A perpetual injunction was issued to prevent interference by the university in ASUU’s lawful activities.
The court ordered the payment of N300,000 to five ASUU EBSU members and arrears of withheld salaries, along with a compensation of N6 million, to the two suspended unionists, Prof. Ikechukwu Igwenyi and Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi.
The defendants are obligated to pay all monetary awards within thirty days of the judgment, with a 25% simple interest rate per annum applicable thereafter.
The judgment also affirmed membership rights, confirming ASUU members’ entitlements in Ebonyi State University, as outlined in the Constitution.
Reacting to the judgment, ASUU EBSU chairman, Dr. Igwenyi, stated, “I am grateful that, by the grace of Almighty God, I was vindicated. The court has used its orders to reverse the suspension and bring justice to the injured.”