One of seven candidates vying for the Vice Chancellor position at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Prof. Chike Osegbue, has urged the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to void Prof. Kate Omenugha’s appointment as VC, deeming it unlawful.
In a suit numbered NICN/ARJ/275/2025, Osegbue seeks to be declared the rightful VC, claiming he topped the Governing Council’s recommended list of three candidates.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the university’s visitor, appointed Omenugha on August 6 after a selection process led by a joint University Council and Senate committee, chaired by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the Pro-chancellor.
The suit names six defendants: Soludo, Anambra’s Attorney-General, Odinkalu, the COOU Council, the university itself, and Omenugha.
Osegbue argues that Omenugha’s appointment violates COOU’s 2014 Law, specifically Ordinance II(4)(d) and Statute VI(1), which mandate appointing the highest-scoring candidate or the second or third as recommended by the council.
“The governor’s decision to appoint Omenugha defies the university’s legal framework,” Osegbue’s suit contends, labeling the move “arbitrary and wrongful.”
He seeks a court ruling on whether Soludo has the authority to bypass the council’s recommendation and appoint Omenugha in violation of the 2014 COOU Law.
Osegbue further requests a declaration that Omenugha’s appointment is “null and void” for contravening the university’s statutes.
No hearing date has been set for the case.
