Anti-Corruption Group Drags UNN VC to Court, Demands Immediate Resignation Over Alleged Contract Secrecy
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A non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to human rights and public accountability, the Citizens Right and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative (CREMA Initiative), has dragged the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and its Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Simon Ortuanya, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit, filed on December 9, 2025, is an application for Judicial Review seeking several declarations, an Order of Mandamus, and a dramatic Interim Injunction compelling the Vice Chancellor to step aside from office immediately.
FoI Request Over Contract Awards Ignored
The core of the legal action revolves around the Respondents’ alleged refusal to comply with a request for information regarding the award of contracts at the institution.
CREMA Initiative stated that it wrote a letter dated November 17, 2025, invoking the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, to request a full list of all contracts awarded by or under the Voice Chancellor’s office.
According to the court documents obtained by The Street Reporters Newspaper, the Respondents “failed, refused and/or neglected” to provide the documents or information, which CREMA Initiative insists they have a statutory and public duty to furnish.
The Applicant argues that this refusal is “unlawful, illegal, abuse of powers, abuse of discretion and ultra vires the powers of the Respondents”.
Dramatic Demand for VC to ‘Step Aside’
Among the sweeping reliefs sought, CREMA Initiative is asking the court for an Order of Mandamus to direct and compel the Respondents to FORTHWITH comply with the FoI request and release the contract details.
However, the most severe demand is an Interim Order of Court compelling the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, to: FORTHWITH step aside and recuse himself as Vice Chancellor of UNN, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive Judicial Review motion.
Produce a “STATEMENT ON OATH” or Affidavit before the court within seven days, listing every contract awarded by him or under his leadership.
CREMA Initiative contends that Prof. Ortuanya is a Public Officer under a constitutional obligation to comply with its letter.
The group further submits that it is “unjust and inimical for public interest” for the Vice Chancellor to “continue to remain in office and discharge the functions… while disobeying laws of the land”.
The matter is brought pursuant to the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, which grants the public the right to access records held by public institutions.
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