Court Reinstates Suspended Plateau State University’s VC, Prof. Sheni

Posted by African Examiner education, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, November 6th, 2014

From Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital has declared as null and void the suspension of the Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Lar University, Bokkos, (Plateau State University), Prof. Danjuma Sheni.

Following the judgement, Governor Jonah Jang is expected to appear in Court on Monday, November, 17 2014 to explain the justification for suspending the VC.

The suspended VC had through his Counsel, Garba Pwul, (SAN), gone to court asking it to enforce his fundamental right of fair hearing under the Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules as provided for, in Section 36 of the 1999 constitution.

Justice Ambrose Allagoa, who gave the ruling on Thursday ordered all actions against Professor Sheni to be put on hold pending the full determination of the matter.

It would be recalled that Governor Jang in a press statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, James Mannok, last Friday, suspended the University Head.

The statement reads: “The Visitor to the Plateau State University Bokkos, Dr. Jonah David Jang CON has suspended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Doknan Decent Danjuma Sheni with effect from 30th October, 2014. In the interim, Professor Stephen J. Mallo has been appointed to act pending further notice.

“While wishing Professor Mallo fruitful and purposeful leadership, he has been mandated to commence preparation for accreditation of all the programmes of the University. He is also to stabilize the system and harmonized all the organs of the University for a harmonious working relationship”.

However, the action has elicited outcry from both staff and students who saw the action as not only punitive but an unnecessary and unwarranted meddling in the affairs of the university.

Students of the institution have also boycotted their final year examinations due to non-accreditation of none of the University’s courses nine years after its establishment.

AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that the meeting of the University council has been moved to the Chambers of the Governor’s office to enable a suspended member of the council, Prof. Daniel Dabi, participate in the council’ s meeting after a court had restrained him from parading himself as a member of the academic staff.