The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Laale, has refuted rumors that he has been suspended by the governing council of the university, and urged the public to disregard the rumour, which he described as mischievous and misleading.
The news of Prof. Laale’s suspension broke on the social media, following speculations that the governing council of the University, had resolved to suspend him as part of resolutions reached at its meeting yesterday.
Africa Update gathered that the governing council was displeased about the crisis that led to the closure of the institution, which was allegedly instigated by the V.C’s policy of no school fees no examination. A bloody riot had erupted on the day the semester examinations were to commence, and some students were allegedly killed by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), including a final year student, Peter Ofurum.
There were reports that the V.C had sued the governing council, questioning the powers of the council to suspend him over allegations of incompetence in piloting the affairs of the university.
Our source further revealed that Prof Laale had gone ahead to obtain a court injunction restraining the governing council from placing him on suspension or sacking him as vice chancellor.
The suit which had its first hearing on May 31st 2016 was later adjourned, to come up for hearing, on Tuesday, June 7th 2016 at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
