The elevation of Justice Steven Adah to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday stalled the hearing of a suit challenging the Federal Government's renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adah was one of the 11 newly-appointed Court of Appeal?judges sworn-in on Monday by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.
Prior to his elevation, Adah had been presiding over the two suits filed on June 25 by some students and alumni of the institution before a Federal High Court in Ikeja.
He had on June 25 restrained the Federal Government from renaming the institution, pending the hearing and determination of the suits.
The judge also directed the plaintiffs to consolidate the suits due to the similarities of facts, respondents and reliefs being sought by them.
When the suit came up for hearing on Tuesday, the parties were informed of the development by the court's registrars.
The matter was adjourned till Dec. 13 for a new judge to take over its hearing.
NAN reports that the suit was instituted by the National President and Secretary of UNILAG Alumni, Prof. Olayide Abass, and Mr Femi Olatunji respectively.
Joined as plaintiffs are seven UNILAG students; Ogunmola Olajide, Olawaye Elijah, Boatman Eniekenemi, Matthias Abraham, Asimiyu Ayodeji, Banjo Omojomi and Balogun Ismalia.
The respondents in the suit are the University of Lagos, the Council and the Senate of UNILAG, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Assembly.
The plaintiffs had asked the court to declare that “the renaming of the university was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
They had asked for an injunction restraining the Federal Government or its agents from renaming the university or changing the name of the University of Lagos with the name Moshood Abiola University.
The plaintiffs asked the court to restrain the university and its council from complying with President Goodluck Jonathan's broadcast on May 29 where he announced the renaming of the institution.
They had also asked the court to restrain the institution's senate from awarding any certificate in any name other than the University of Lagos. (NAN)