UNILAG Name Change Latest: All Eyes on September 21

Following the legal suit filed against the Federal Government of Nigeria over what many had described as the inappropriate name change of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University Lagos, Nigerians and the rest of the world have their eyes and hearts cast on September 21, which happens to be the date of adjournment of the case in court.
A Federal High Court, Ikeja had ealier reaffirmed its earlier interim order restraining the Federal Government and other concerned authorities from changing the name of University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University.

Justice Stephen Adah reiterated that the order would subsist throughout the period of hearing and final determination of the suit challenging the propriety of renaming the university through a broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29, 2012.

This came even as the court also ordered the consolidation of the two suits filed separately by the alumni association and some students of the university.

Adah restated the interim order following a request by the plaintiffs’ lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for an extension of the validity of the order.

Counsel for the respondents in the suit, in their separate responses to Olanipekun’s application, said the judge in his ruling on June 25, 2012, had made it clear that the injunction was to be alive until when the suit was finally dispensed off.

The respondents are the University of Lagos, the Senate of the university, its Governing Council, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN); and the National Assembly.

The judge had adjourned till September 21 and directed the parties to file all necessary court processes before then.

The plaintiffs, whose case is being prosecuted by at least 14 SANs, are asking the court to declare that President’s action is null and void.

Among other orders being sought by the plaintiffs is one restraining the university and its Council from complying with the President’s broadcast.

By Samod Biobaku