By Abidemi Samuel
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In a landmark judgment, the National Industrial Court in Akure has ordered the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), to pay N40 million to Professor Niyi Akingbe, the former Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who was wrongfully dismissed in 2018. The court found that Akingbe’s termination of employment was not only unjust but also based on unfounded allegations of plagiarism.
The judgment, which was delivered on October 29, 2024, by the Presiding Judge, Hon Justice K.D Damulak, declared that the allegations of plagiarism against Akingbe were vague and lacked substantial evidence. The court also held that the university failed to adhere to proper procedures outlined in the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti Act of 2015 and the relevant regulations governing senior staff service conditions.
Akingbe’s counsel, Ademola Olowoyeye, had argued during the trial that the allegations of plagiarism were baseless and that the university had denied Akingbe his rightful promotion to the position of Professor in the Department of English. The court agreed with Olowoyeye’s arguments and declared that Akingbe’s dismissal was null and void.
The court ordered the university to pay Akingbe N40 million in general damages within 30 days of the judgment. The sum will attract a 10% interest per annum if not paid within the stipulated time.
This judgment is a significant victory for Akingbe, who had been a vocal critic of the university’s administrative practices under former Vice Chancellor Kayode Soremekun. The judgment also highlights the importance of fair hearing and due process in employment matters.
It is worth noting that Akingbe’s case is not an isolated incident. There have been several reports of wrongful dismissal and unfair labor practices in Nigerian universities. ¹. This judgment serves as a reminder to universities and other employers to respect the rights of their employees and to follow due process in employment matters.
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