Presiding Judge, Justice Makhmud Lima has directed all the parties in a suit brought before the Court by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, (UNIPORT) Prof. Ndowa Laale, to cooperate and explore all available options to settle their differences within three weeks.
This directive follows an order of court sought by Professor Laale to stop the Governing Council of the institution from suspending him.
When the matter was called yesterday, all parties involved in the matter, which include the University of Port Harcourt, its Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Laale, the Governing Council and other stakeholders, asked the court to give them time to resolve the crisis in the institution.
They further requested that Stakeholders led by selected Professors, including Professor Don Baridam, Professor S.J.S Cookey, Professor Kemka Okoko, Professor Nimi Briggs, Professor Anipko, Professor Okiwelu and immediate past Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Joseph Ajienka should spearhead the peace moves.
Justice Lima said his decision is in pursuant to section 43 of the Federal High court Act that gives room for out-of-court settlement, and the matter was adjourned to 27th of June, 2016 for report of settlement.
