Court restrains FUTO from appointing new VC

Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has restrained the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and its Governing Council from proceeding with the appointment of a new vice chancellor, pending the determination of an interlocutory injunction filed before the court. 

The plaintiff, Professor Martin Ikechukwu Nwufo, of the Department of Crop Science and Technology, in a motion ex parte No FHC/ OW/CS/36/2016, prayed the court to restrain the defendants, its agents, privies, servants or any person whosoever acting for itself or on its behalf, from conducting any interview/screening on any persons for the post of the vice chancellor of the university, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction in the court. Nwufo, who was allegedly edged out of the contest due to his age, also prayed the court to stop the second respondent (Governing Council) from further making any arrangement or preparations for the appointment of any person to the office of the vice chancellor of first respondent until the case brought before it is determined. 

After hearing the motion and affidavit in support sworn to by the plaintiff and after hearing Professor U.U. Chukwuma Eze appearing with I. C. Onumajuru for the plaintiff/ applicant, the judge, Justice J.E. Inyang, ordered the respondents to maintain the status quo pending determination of the application brought before the court. The judge also gave the plaintiff permission to put the respondents on notice by serving them the order of the court dated March16, motion on notice dated March 15 and Originating Summons filed on March 15, 2016 through the office of FUTO Registrar. 

The matter has been adjourned till March 24 for hearing.