A human rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has filed an action at the Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged “outrageous cut-off mark set for admission into some universities”.
The Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, filed the suit with number FHC/L/CS/1139/2015 on behalf of SERAP and three university applicants at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The university applicants are Adeola Ayobami, Abass Ololade and Abass Ajibola.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and University of Lagos are the respondents in the suit.
Other respondents in the suit are the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on July 22, a protest by parents and applicants at the University of Lagos marred the commencement of screening and registration of candidates for the 2015/2016 session.
The aggrieved parents and applicants stormed the University campus to protest against the hike above 180 cut-off mark set by JAMB for admission into universities in the country.
Authorities of the University had, however, set the cut-off mark for admission into the institution at 250.
The suit is seeking an order stopping JAMB, UNILAG as well as any other higher institution from implementing “outrageous cut-off marks”.
Mumuni told the News Agency of Nigeria: “The provisions of Section 5(1)(c)(iii) of the JAMB Act are very clear and unambiguous.
“The letter and spirit of the provisions is to ensure that the preferences of candidates in terms of the university they choose to attend are sacrosanct.
“Even a contrary or adverse decision by individual university cannot override decision made pursuant to the provisions of Section 5(1) (c) (iii).”
According to Mumuni, the respondents’ decision to increase cut-off point to 250 after setting it at 180 interferes with the choices and preferences of the applicants in the suit and several other candidates.
SERAP said the decision of the respondents violates Sections 34 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
It, therefore, asked the court to direct the respondents to reverse its pronouncement of 250 as the cut-off for admission
The suit also wants the respondents to fully and effectively implement the publicly announced 180 cut-off mark.
NAN.