Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has given Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, and a teenage applicant, Master Aondo Terdoo Caleb, 11 days to resolve an ongoing admission dispute.
The court set August 26 as the date for the parties to report back on the outcome of an out-of-court settlement suggested by the judge. The case stems from the teenager’s lawsuit against the college for denying him admission, despite passing the school’s exams and meeting all necessary requirements.
His mother, Mrs. Ogooluwa Terkaa Aondo, who filed the suit on his behalf, argued that the school’s refusal to admit him violates his right to education. She asked the court to order the school to enroll him as a student.
During yesterday’s hearing, Justice Lifu paused proceedings for four hours to allow both parties to pursue an amicable settlement. However, after the meeting, the lawyers for the teenager, Mr. Mathew Burkaa, SAN, and for the school, Pius Ediale, requested additional time for further consultations.
The judge granted their request, urging them to use their experience and diplomacy to resolve the matter swiftly. He scheduled August 26 for either a final settlement report or a continuation of the case.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1114/2024, also names the College’s Principal, Father Chikere Ugwuanyi, and its President, Rev. Father Peter Chidolue, as defendants.
Earlier, in an ex-parte application, the applicant sought an interim injunction to compel Loyola Jesuit College to admit him and grant him the rights and privileges of a Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1) student, effective from August 20, 2024. He also sought to prevent the school’s authorities from giving his spot to another applicant pending a ruling on his motion for an interlocutory injunction.
However, after hearing the submission from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Matthew Burkaa, Justice Lifu declined to compel the college to admit the applicant. Instead, he invoked Order 26 Rule 8, directing the defendants to appear on August 16 to explain why the applicant’s request should not be granted.
