A High Court sitting in Enugu has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by Chidi Kingsley Akabogu, a third-year law student at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). The court also ordered him to pay ₦300,000 in legal costs to the Faculty of Law.
Justice Kenneth Okpe, the vacation judge, delivered the ruling on Thursday, 21 August 2025. The case stemmed from Akabogu’s challenge against the Faculty of Law Examination Malpractice Committee.
“The Applicant clearly and in all its ramifications has already been adjudged ‘guilty’ of engaging in examination malpractice before he even had a chance of appearing before the Respondents,” Akabogu’s motion read.
WhatsApp Notice and Alleged Bias
Akabogu said he only learned of the committee’s July 29 sitting through a WhatsApp message forwarded by a fellow student.
The message listed eleven names, including his, and warned: “Failure to attend is further delaying your chances of graduating from the University.”
He argued that the unsigned notice violated his right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. He also claimed the committee made it hard for him to attend and failed to provide details of the allegations.
The respondents—Dr Clara Obi-Ochiabutor, Chair of the committee, and Prof Festus O. Ukwueze, Dean of Law—denied the claims. They described the suit as premature since no hearing had taken place.
Justice Okpe agreed. He said the WhatsApp message did not single out Akabogu and did not amount to a denial of fair hearing.
“From whatever prism one may view it, the Applicant’s fate has not been sealed,” the judge ruled.
University Has Power to Discipline Students
Justice Okpe stressed that universities have the right to discipline students within their premises. He cited legal precedent to support the decision.
“It must be clearly emphasised that the University has authority within its premises to discipline any erring or misbehaving student… This will not amount to infringement of the student’s fundamental rights including the right to fair hearing,” he said.
All reliefs sought by Akabogu were refused. The judge concluded: “Accordingly, the reliefs in this application are hereby refused and the suit dismissed with cost of ₦300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) against the Applicant in favour of the Respondents.”
Akabogu was represented by Chidiebere Lucky Obodo. The Faculty of Law was represented by D. A. Aneke.
It’s not clear yet if Mr Akabogu wants to pursue an appeal.
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