The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, and other officials have faulted a lawsuit filed against the institution by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, describing it as statute-barred and lacking merit.
In a notice of preliminary objection filed before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the university and its co-defendants urged the court to strike out the suit, arguing that the claims brought by the former minister were filed outside the legally permissible timeframe.
Nnaji, who served as minister under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, had dragged UNN and some of its officials to court over an undisclosed dispute, reportedly relating to matters arising from university dealings that affected his interests. However, the defendants maintained that the action was time-barred under the relevant provisions of Nigerian law and therefore incompetent.
Counsel to the defendants argued that since the alleged cause of action occurred several years ago, Nnaji had lost the legal right to institute the case, adding that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain a matter already extinguished by statute.
“The claimant’s action, having been filed long after the expiration of the statutory period allowed for such proceedings, is incompetent and liable to be dismissed,” the university’s lawyers stated in the objection.
Justice Yilwa, after listening to the submissions of both parties, adjourned the matter to a later date for the hearing of the preliminary objection and possible adoption of written addresses.
The case has drawn public interest given Nnaji’s prominence in both political and business circles, as well as the university’s insistence on legal procedural compliance.
While the details of the underlying dispute remain unclear, legal observers note that the outcome of the court’s decision on the objection will determine whether the substantive suit proceeds to full hearing or is struck out at the preliminary stage.
