An activist, Mr. Rex Michael Ademu, has filed a lawsuit against Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), its Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze Umobi, and former Vice Chancellor, Dr. Bernard Odoh, at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Awka Division.
The three are listed as the first, second and third defendants in the suit marked No: NICN/AWK/35/2025.
Ademu is asking the court to restrain the university from promoting Dr. Odoh to the rank of professor, citing questions surrounding his integrity.
According to court documents filed on July 3 and obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, the suit is based on Dr. Odoh’s alleged claim of holding a professorship at the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS)—a claim which the institution reportedly denied.
Ademu contends that the controversy over Odoh’s professorial status at FUGUS undermines his integrity and moral standing, thereby making him unfit for promotion within Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Represented by his lawyer, Levi Chiefuna Esq. of Unicorn Acoms Legal Practitioners, the claimant argues that promoting Dr. Odoh would violate Section 5.3(a)(iii) of the university’s Conditions of Service, which lists integrity as one of the core requirements for academic appointments and promotions.
The Claimant sought among others a declaration that the university’s appointments and promotions committee is required to consider the integrity of staff seeking promotion to the rank of professor.
He also wants the court to order the university to investigate Odoh’s integrity and restrain it from promoting him pending the outcome of the investigation.
Other reliefs the Claimant sought are: “A declaration that the third defendant’s alleged fraud which is claiming to be a Professor of the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS) in Zamfara State which said claim has been disclaimed, discredited and dismissed by FUGUS, has sufficiently impugned and discredited the third defendant’s integrity and character and accordingly, the third defendant is not qualified to hold or appointed to the office of Professor in the first defendant.
“An order directing the first and second defendants to investigate the various facts impugning the third defendant’s integrity including being involved in partisan politics while being employed by the first defendant and the alleged presentation of false documents purporting to establish the third defendant’s prior employment or professorial status at FUGUS and take appropriate disciplinary or criminal actions as may be necessary against the third defendant.
“An order of injunction restraining the first and second defendants from recognizing, promoting, or appointing the third defendant to the position of professor or a related academic/administrative role pending the outcome of such investigations as in relief 3.”
The case highlights concerns about academic integrity and the need for universities to uphold high standards in their appointments and promotions processes.