Jane Ottah, 28 years and a student of the Department of Educational Foundation dragged the university before a Rivers State High Court for expelling her over claims that she had disabilities, agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the University on Tuesday.
Ms. Ottah had demanded the university to pay her N20 million as damages in addition to providing the necessary support services and facilities to aid her learning. She also asked the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the university or their agents from discriminating against her in any way.
Mr. Oguneso, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and layer to Jane Ottah, on Wednesday said we filed terms of settlement in court and same was adopted, the court recognized it as a settlement and it’s binding on all parties,
“So the university will take her back, she’s resuming in the next academic session.”
Proff. Blessing Didia, the Vice Chancellor of the university also confirmed they had have agreed to settle out of court, but insisted that Ms. Ottah “was never dismissed ab initio”.
The University’s action was widely condemned by lawyers and human rights activists who described it as “a crude treatment” for a person with disability.
Ms. Ottah, who was in her first year in the Department of Educational Foundation, was writing the semester’s examination when she received the letter.
Ms. Jane Ottah was admitted into the university in September 2014.
Before securing admission, she had passed her West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination with three distinctions and five credits; scored 205 in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam; and passed the university’s post-UME test.
Ms.
Ottah described the out-of-court settlement with the university as “not
bad”. “Half bread is better than none, she described the situation.
“My education is very important to me, and I thank Jehovah Ebenezer, the tear wiper has done it for me.”
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