Authorities of the Federal University, Oye- Ekiti FUOYE
has reinstated unconditionally the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU Dr Gabriel Akinyemi Omonijo whose appointment was unlawfully terminated in 15th, February 2019.
The letter of reinstatement of Dr Omonijo which was signed by the FUOYE Registrar and Secretary to the Council of the university, Mr Mufutau Ibrahim, dated 8th November 2022 with reference number FUOYE/REG/PEO/STM.ACAD/087/Vol.15/340, and entitled: “RE: SUIT NO.NICN/AK/21/2019;
The letter reads “You will recall that pursuant to the Consent Judgement reached between you and the University in the above case, the Governing Council directed at its Extraordinary Meeting held on 3rd November, 2021 that you be reinstated to the services of the university with immediate effect.
“In consequence of the said directive, I write to inform you that your appointment with the University has been reinstated with immediate effect.
It however states that Dr Omonijo should take note that implicit in the reinstatement of his appointment is obligation to be bound by all the extant laws and regulations of the University.
The letter also reads that the current one supersedes earlier letter to you, Ref:FUOYE/REG/ACAD/087/VOL.!/15/194 dated 3rd October, 2022.”
Meanwhile, the new development has been reported at the hearing of the case at Akure Division of the National Industrial Court presided over by Mr. Taiwo Omidoyin Esq. of Falana & Falana Chambers to His Lordship, the Honourable Justice K. D. Damulak on Wednesday, November 23, 2022; reported that their client, Dr Omonijo, has been issued with a letter from FUOYE reinstating him unconditionally.
Mr Omidoyin, who appeared in court with Mr Abiodun Ajisola Esq also of Falana & Falana Chambers, told the court that Dr Omonijo has since resumed duties at FUOYE and has written a formal letter to that effect.
Omodoyin’s report was corroborated by Mr Adegboyega, counsel to the defendants.
Radio Nigeria Progress had earlier reported that Dr Omonijo had sometime in 2019 taken FUOYE to the Akure Division of the National Industrial Court when he was sent on indefinite suspension without pay over issues related to his role as Chairman of FUOYE branch of ASUU.
On 29th July, 2021, the NIC had given a consent judgement based on a negotiated agreement between FUOYE and Omonijo to resolve their differences.
However, FUOYE reneged on the agreement by failing to comply with the terms of the consent judgement when it introduced, in its then letter of reinstatement, some preconditions which Dr Omonijo and his counsel saw as strange and against the letters and spirit of the consent judgement.
They rejected these conditions and had, after fruitless efforts to convince FUOYE to do the needful, file contempt proceedings against the VC and Registrar.
It would be recalled that FUOYE had issued a conditioner letter of reinstatement to Dr Gabriel Omonijo on November 2021 and June this year but they were rejected by counsel to the FUOYE’s ASSU chairman.
