Justice J . I. Essien of the National Industrial Court on Tuesday struck out two suits challenging the “ purported ” removal of the Vice - Chancellor of the University of Lagos , Prof . Toyin Ogundipe.
This was after the formal withdrawal of two suits filed in relation to controversy in the university .
One of the suits was filed by Ogundipe to challenge his removal by Governing Council then under the chairmanship of the now - suspended Pro - Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin ( SAN ) .
The other was filed by the Senate of the university to challenge Ogundipe’ s removal and his replacement with Prof . Theophilus Soyombo by the governing council .
While Messrs Tayo Oyetibo ( SAN ) and Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of Ogundipe’ s suit ; Prof . Taiwo Osipitan ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of the suit filed by the Senate.
There was no objection to the withdrawal of both suits by Mr Tola Oshobi ( SAN ) who represented Babalakin in both cases .
Following the applications for withdrawal , Justice Essien struck out the suits.
He urged authorities of the University of Lagos to resolve the raging controversy in the university amicably , stressing that controversy is not good for the image of a university .
Justice Essien , who said he is a professor of Law who left teaching to become a judge , said actors in the controversy should allow peace to reign .
The judge said he was glad that the parties elected to withdraw the suit, thereby saving him from having to make pronouncements .
He, however , said having been a Dean of Faculty and member of a university Senate, “ I would have determined the case properly and settled the controversy because the matter came to the right place .
“ We hope that peace will reign because when two elephants fight, in this case, the grass will wither . The controversy is not good for a university , ” Justice Essien said .
Osipitan assured the judge that “ maturity will prevail ” .
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