Winneba High court’s decision: Vindication of my position-Prof. Avoke
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Mawutor Avoke has indicated that the decision of the Winneba High Court on February 2, 2022, is a vindication of his position relative to the issues that saw his removal from office.
A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Mawutor Avoke has indicated that the decision of the Winneba High Court on February 2, 2022, is a vindication of his position relative to the issues that saw his removal from office.
He further indicates that even though the Judgment of the Court is relieving, he will not boast over it.
“Indeed, while I consider this judicial determination a total and final vindication of my position regarding the divisive issues that founded my removal from office, I am clear and certain in my mind that I will not boast over the outcome, no matter how reliving and joyous the judgment may seem.”
In a press statement dated February 2, 2022, Prof.Avoke also confirmed that at a sitting today, the Winneba High Court ordered the University of Education, Winneba to restore him to the office to serve the remainder of his interrupted term as Vice-Chancellor.
Winneba High Court Judgment
The High court in Winneba has ordered the University of Education to reinstate its former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mawutor Avoke to his position.
Also, the court presided over by his Lordship, Aboagye Tandoh ordered the UEW to reinstate officers of the University who lost their positions as a result of the legal battle and pay them all arrears owed them.
A citizen of Winneba, Supi Kofi Kwayera brought a suit before the Winneba High Court in which he cited the then Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Avoke for procurement, financial irregularities and argued that the same was operating under a Governing Council whose mandate had expired as far back as November 2013.
As a result, the court ordered Prof. Avoke in 2017 to step aside until the final determination of the case brought before it had been decided.
Following this, the School’s Governing Council removed from office, Prof Avoke, and other senior officers of the University.
STATEMENT OF CASE
The decision of February 2, 2022 came after an application by one Samuel Kweku Ghartey, which application prayed the High Court to, amongst other things, issue:
a.An order of Prohibition restraining the Defendant University from appointing anyone into the office of Vice – Chancellorship as same is not vacant but meant for resumption of office by Professor Mawutor Avoke, the incumbent Vice-Chancellor.
b.An order Prohibiting the Respondent University from restraining its officers namely Prof. Mawutor Avoke, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Finance Officer, Mr. Frank Owusu Boateng, Deputy Finance Officer, Ms. Sena Dake, Internal Auditor, Mary Dzimey, Acting Head of Procurement and lng. Daniel Tetteh, Ag. Deputy Director of Works and Physical Development from the resumption of office
c.A declaratory order that the Respondent University acted in actual bias or strong likelihood of bias in causing the stepping aside from office of Professor Mawutor Avoke and the above named five officers without any prima facie case against them.
d.An order of mandamus compelling the Governing Council of the Respondent institution to implement the findings in the report of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) that investigated six(6) officials of the Respondent institution and the recommendations made by a three (3) member committee set up by the Governing Council of the Respondent university, to reinstate the six(6) officers namely Prof . Mawutor Avoke, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, former finance Officer, Mr. Frank Owusu Boateng, Deputy Finance Officer, Ms. Sena Dake. Internal Auditor. Ms. Mary Dzimey, Acting Head of Procurement and lng. Daniel Tetteh Ag. Deputy Director of Works and Physical Development who were exonerated by the reports of the two (2) bodies referred to above.
e.An order compelling the Governing Council of the Respondent institution to allow the six (6) officers namely: Prof. Mawutor Avoke, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Finance Officer, Mr. Frank Owusu Boateng, Deputy Finance Officer, Ms. Sena Dake, Internal Auditor, Mary Dzimey, Acting Head of Procurement, and Ing. Daniel Tetteh, Ag. Deputy Director of Works and Physical Development of the Respondent institution, who was exonerated by Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the three (3) member committee set up by the Governing Council of the Respondent institution, to allow and permit the six (6) officers to work in their respective positions without inhibition.
f.An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondent institution acting through the Governing Council from obstructing the six(6) officers, namely Prof. Mawutor Avoke, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Finance Officer, Mr. Frank Owusu Boateng; Deputy Finance Officer, Ms. Sena Dake, Internal Auditor, Mary Dzimey, Acting Head of Procurement and Ing. Daniel Tetteh, Ag. Deputy Director of Works and Physical Development access to their respective offices.
g.An order restraining the Respondent institution from proceeding to appoint a New Vice-Chancellor until the final determination of this suit.
