Again Courts Postpones Hearing Of COOU VC Suit Over Fresh Application
Hearing of the matter between Prof. Chike Osegbue and Prof. Kate Omenugha over the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Vice Chancellorship tussle has been fixed for July 21.
Osegbue, in the suit, NICN/ARJ/275/2025 is praying the court to declare him the substantive Vice Chancellor of COOU on the grounds that he was the top candidate at the of the selection process.
Omenugha was appointed substantive VC on Aug. 6, 2025 following the conclusion of the selection process.
Justice John Tergama who presided over the matter at the Natural Industrial Court sitting in Awka had on Feb. 18 fixed May 21 for hearing of all applications and the substantive suit.
But when the matter was called up on Thursday, Mr O.N. Ezenwa-Ohaeto, Counsel to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University who is the 4th defendant said he had a motion which he had not been able to serve the Claimant.
Ezenwa-Ohaeto told the court that the University Council could not meet to take a position on the suit until a new Pro Chancellor was appointed in April.
Ezenwa-Ohaeto pleaded that the court should give him to file the processes before proceeding with the hearing.
J.S. Okwutepa (SAN), Counsel to the Claimant opposed the application saying he came prepared for the hearing of the better as scheduled on the last adjourned date.
Okwutepa who was represented by Onyechi Ononye told the court that all parties had been served since last year and that he was not in court to take fresh service when the matter was due for hearing.
He urged the court to proceed with the hearing and that if it would be deferred, it should be at a cost to the fourth defendant who was making the application.
Counsel to the other defendants supported the application to accept the process but without penalty.
Justice Tagama granted the application and adjourned hearing of the matter to July 21.
Recall that former Pro Chancellor, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu who is also a defendant in the matter was replaced in April by the visitor.