A group of legal practitioners under the banner of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, over alleged procedural and legal irregularities in his appointment.
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1417/2025, the lawyers are asking the court to compel the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, to sack Prof. Omoregie and appoint the highest-scoring candidate from the Vice Chancellorship selection exercise, or the next in line, in accordance with the university’s regulations.
Prof. Omoregie, a senior legal academic, was appointed as UNIBEN’s 11th substantive Vice Chancellor in December 2014 while serving at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). His appointment, however, is being challenged by ALDRAP on grounds of alleged breach of university rules and anti-corruption laws.
ALDRAP, through its legal counsel Timothy Tersugh Ahua, contends that the appointment was not based on merit, transparency, or adherence to due process. The association claims that Prof. Omoregie did not obtain a top score in the selection examination, allegedly placing 23rd out of 25 candidates. They argue that this renders his appointment null, void, and unlawful.
In its filing, ALDRAP is also requesting the court to:
Declare the selection and appointment of the VC invalid due to non-compliance with the **University of Benin Regulations and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2000.
Compel the ICPC to investigate and prosecute Prof. Omoregie over alleged violations of Section 19 of the ICPC Act, particularly for purportedly drawing double salaries from both UNIBEN and NILDS over a ten-year period.
Order the Minister of Education to conduct a new selection process in accordance with established guidelines.
In an affidavit deposed by ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams, the group alleged that “a fraudulent method” was used in the selection process. Williams claimed that after numerous letters to the Minister of Education, ICPC, and the House Committee on University Education, seeking documents and redress, no action had been taken.
Williams further stated: “The process of electing the Vice Chancellor was supposed to be based on examination results. The candidate who scored the highest was meant to be appointed. But the one who scored 23rd out of 25 was eventually selected.”
He also alleged that Prof. Omoregie had exceeded the maximum leave period permissible under UNIBEN’s regulations while at NILDS, rendering him ineligible for reabsorption or consideration for the VC position.
ALDRAP insists that the Minister’s failure to annul the appointment and initiate a proper selection process constitutes a “continuing breach of public duty,” asserting that only the court can now rectify what they describe as a “gross injustice”.
The suit has not yet been assigned a hearing date. As at press time, there has been no official response from the Ministry of Education, ICPC, or the University of Benin.
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