A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has said that the authorities of University of Port Harcourt, Choba, have the right to regulate its activities and determine how to the discipline of students with regards to school fees payments.
The court however ordered the authorities of the university not to suspend or expel any undergraduate students who were demoted by the school for non- payment of school fees as at when due.
The trial Judge, Justice Turaki Mohammed made these orders while delivering his judgement on a suit brought against the management of UNIPORT by the affected under graduate students of the university, 2016/2017 academic session affected by school fees policy.
The students in their prayers among other things averred that the decision to demote them by the management of UNIPORT due to non-payment of school fees was an infringement of their human rights.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Turaki Mohammed directed the students to pay their school fees as stipulated by the university management and continue their academic session even as he ordered the university authorities not to suspend or expel the students.
Speaking to journalists, counsel to the University of Port Harcourt, Mr Diambo Karibo described the judgement as a victory for the institution, adding that the ruling by the court has put an end to all the various contentious in the litigations.
Mr Karibo (Esq) said the judgement has clearly stated that the university has the right to regulate and demand fees from her students.
Also speaking, counsel to the affected uniport students, Mr Lezina Amaegila (Esq) expressed dissatisfaction with the court judgement on the grounds that the court failed to address all the issues raised by the students and added that his clients would test the judgement at a higher court.