For the second time in quick succession, uncertainty is trailing the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the university of Jos in Plateau state.

Professor Sebastian Maimako was at the weekend appointed as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the university to take over from Professor Hayward Mafuyai whose tenure will expire on June 23, this year. This was after an interview by the institution’s Governing Council led by Chief Don Etiebet in which no fewer than 18 candidates participated.

It was gathered that before the announcement of the new Vice chancellor last Friday, members of the institution’s chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association who have been at logger head with the leadership over a clause, which allegedly prevented them from participating in the selection of a new vice-chancellor had secured a court order on the eve of the appointment restraining the Governing Council from going ahead with the exercise but the council went ahead to announce a new vice chancellor.

Sources close to the NMA in Jos yesterday said the association would today initiate a contempt of court proceedings against the university in Bauchi State where the case is being handled.There are fears that the motion if successful, may stall the inauguration of the new Vice Chancellor in June.

The current controversy surrounding the appointment of the VC started in 2011 when the university advertised for the position stating that to qualify for the position, a candidate must be a professor of at least five years standing and he or she must possess a doctoral degree.

The advertisement had triggered apprehension among members of the NMA who perceived it as a ploy to disenfranchise them from the race, a development that made them approach the court to contest the requirements.

The doctors had argued that the number of years spent in training and qualifying as medical doctors, as well as working as consultants, were enough to place them on the same level as holders of doctoral degrees and as such, should not be excluded in the race.

The case which was first instituted at the Federal High court in Jos when the current Vice chancellor was appointed about five years ago later moved to Bauchi State after complaints by members of the NMA over lack of confidence by the presiding judge.

Although the senate later removed the controversial clause, the doctors have not given up on the case, as they, through their counsel are insisting that further action bordering on selection of VC should be put on hold until the final determination of the pending suit.

Below are pictures of Prof. S S Maimako being given the letter of appointment by the Chairman of the University of Jos Governing council Chief Don Ettiebet.

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Law suit against emergence of Prof. S S Maimako as VC of Unijos