Kanyi Okeke
Earlier today, a Federal High Court in Lagos granted an interim order
restraining the Federal Government from renaming the University of
Lagos, a 52-year old school widely known as UNILAG. Justice Stephen Adah granted the interim injunction sought by students and alumni of the institution. The defendants in the lawsuit are UNILAG, the University’s Governing
Council, the UNILAG Senate, office of the Attorney-General of the
Federation and the National Assembly.
On May 29th 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan arbitrarily renamed the University after Bashorun M.K.O Abiola,
the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election that was
annulled by the military junta led by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. However in the course of street protests, students and alumni of the
university resisted the name change leading to the closure of the
university.
The court has adjourned further hearing in the case till July 4.
Issokay!