Admission Loss: Student Sues RSUST For N1m

An applicant of the United Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) who lost his admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology in 2005 has dragged the institution to court.

Eric Jeyebarimiema in suit No PHC/1137/2006 is seeking N1 million compensation from the state-owned institution for cancelling his admission without any lawful reason.

The matter, which was dragged on four years, was again heard on Wednesday as both parties sought for continuation of defense before Justice Boma Diepiri in Port Harcourt.

Claimant’s Counsel, Nyigierafa Joshua argued that the newspaper tendered before the court as exhibit do not fall within a classified document.

The school had through its counsel, Ebere Amadi, claimed that it placed an advertorial over the admission during which it cancelled some admissions in 2004.

But Barrister Joshua submitted that making an advertorial while a suit is pending was not acceptable and, therefore, pleaded the court not to admit the exhibit.

Trouble had began for the school authorities when Jeyebarimiema’s name was listed as one of those to be admitted into the Department of Marine Engineering.

The applicant had scored 279 in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation examinations of that year, as a score that made him to be listed as one of those to sit for the post-JAMB test.

Unfortunately for Jeyebarimiema, he never got the admission even after his mother threw a party for him and his friends.

He told the court that his mother spent not less than N155,325 for the party on 30th January 2006.

The school’s admission officer, Joe Alawa, who was cross-examined explained that the university had no regulation over admissions except JAMB.

Alawa claimed that admissions was requested by National University Commission (NUC) and that the university entrance examination were for those who scored above 200 in UMTB of 2005.

Also, the school’s counsel claimed that it was not aware of the claimant’s alleged JAMB score including his O’Level results.

After hearing the arguments of both counsels, Justice Diepiri adjourned the matter to 21st and 22nd of July for continuation of defense.