UNIMED Appointments Under Fire: Ondo Indigenes Challenge Selection in Appeal Court
The recent appointment of principal officers at the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has sparked discontent among some indigenes of Ondo State, culminating in legal action to contest the decision.
Comrade Jonathan Obatola and Mr Love Olawumi, dissatisfied with the outcome at the Ondo State High Court, Akure, have taken their grievances to the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal.
The appellants argue that the appointments are biased against Ondo State indigenes, with the Vice Chancellor post filled by non-indigene.
They contend that the current Vice Chancellor hails from Ogun State and allege that the recruitment process blatantly favours individuals from outside the state, in violation of the university’s governing law, which they claim should prioritise inclusivity for Ondo State indigenes.
Following the strike out of their case by Hon. Justice Akinbinu at the Ondo State High Court, the appellants have filed a Notice of Appeal and a motion for a stay of execution against the ruling.
Justice Akinbinu upheld the appointments, ruling that the process complied with the statutes and guidelines of the institution.
The appellants, however, insist that the appointments fail to uphold the principles of fairness and diversity expected in a state-owned university, further questioning the inclusiveness of the selection process.
It should be recalled that, Mr Owoeye Segun Emmanuel, the Chief Security officer to UNIMED who pulled out AK 47 riffle to shoot the Court Bailiff (Mr Sola) when he was trying to perform his legitimate duty as a qualified bailiff attached to Court 10 in the High Court Akure.
When asked from Mr Owoeye Segun Emmanuel (Unimed CSO) why he furiously behaved that way, he opined that he was under strict instructions /order from the school management (VC, DVC, REGISTRAR, BURSAR AND LIBRARIAN) not to allow or receive any Court order from Bailiff as regards to yard Appeal in question.
Indigenes however resolved on these basis, that:
1.That the appellant rejected the ruling passed by Justice Akinbinu in totality.
2.That the ruling of the State High Court delivered yesterday 20/12/2024 erred in law there by necessitating the Ondo State coalition to appeal against the judgement at the Court of Appeal, Akure.
3. That status quo should remain untill the determination of the case at the Appeal court against the appointment and selection of UNIMED Registrar and selection of VC as the case may be.
4. That the coalition of Ondo State indigene is vehemently fighting for the course of the emancipation of all Ondo State from the gulag of external dominance in UNIMED.
5. That justice must prevail at the end of the day in UNIMED.
