The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has been petitioned to immediately sanction the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, and four other senior officials of the commission for alleged criminal contempt and willful disobedience of court orders.
The petition was filed by Mr. Kunle Rotimi, a former NUC staff member, who accused the commission’s leadership of failing to obey a 2020 judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which ordered his reinstatement and full compensation following an unlawful dismissal dating back to March 1996.
Also named in the contempt proceedings are:
- Mr. Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary
- Mrs. Hauwa Amos, Director of Finance
- Mrs. Victoria Omorodion, Director of Human Resources
- Mr. Paschal Eruaga, Deputy Director of Legal Services
Justice (Dr.) I.J. Essien of the NIC had, in suit number NICN/LA/646/2018, ruled on July 6, 2020, that Mr. Rotimi be reinstated and paid all outstanding entitlements. The NUC appealed the ruling, but the Court of Appeal in June 2024 upheld the lower court’s decision and ordered immediate compliance.
More than a year after the appellate verdict, however, Mr. Rotimi claims the NUC has refused to act, compelling him to initiate criminal contempt and committal proceedings against the five senior officials and notify the Federal Ministry of Education.
In a formal petition submitted to the Education Minister, Rotimi cited specific provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR), which mandate the suspension or interdiction of public officers involved in court proceedings for misconduct.
“Allowing these individuals to remain in office while taxpayer funds are used to defend acts of contempt and impunity is a direct affront to administrative ethics and the rule of law,” Mr. Rotimi stated.
He further warned that the Federal Ministry of Education could be seen as complicit in the alleged violations if it fails to act decisively, stressing that continued non-compliance undermines both the 1999 Constitution and judicial integrity.
“It is unacceptable that more than one year after a binding appellate court ruling, officials of a public institution continue to flout the law with impunity,” he added.
Rotimi, a former journalist, called on the Education Minister to demonstrate a commitment to justice, transparency, and institutional accountability by ensuring that the NUC leadership faces disciplinary consequences in line with the law.
As of press time, neither the NUC nor the Federal Ministry of Education had issued a formal response to the petition. Legal observers note that the case could set a significant precedent for the enforcement of court rulings against high-ranking public officials in Nigeria.