Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has instructed Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, and a student seeking admission, Master Aondo Terdoo Caleb, to settle their admission lawsuit outside of court.
The Judge, on Friday, mandated them to hold an emergency meeting within five hours to explore possible resolutions and report back between 4 and 5 p.m.
Citing Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, Justice Lifu utilized the court’s authority to encourage the amicable settlement of disputes.
Master Aondo Terdoo Caleb had taken legal action against Loyola Jesuit College, seeking admission as a student.
The case was filed by his mother, Mrs. Ogooluwa Terkaa Aondo, on his behalf to enforce his right to education and admission to the prestigious college.
Also involved in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1114/2024, are the College’s Principal, Father Chikere Ugwuanyi, and President, Rev Father Peter Chidolue.
Despite denying the ex-parte application, the Judge directed the college authorities to appear in court on August 16 to defend themselves against the lawsuit.
During Friday’s hearing, Loyola Jesuit College, represented by P. E. Ediale, objected to the suit and requested an adjournment for proper preparation.
Moved by the circumstances of the young applicant in court with his mother, Justice Lifu emphasized the importance of an amicable resolution to the admission dispute.
Expressing optimism for a positive outcome, the Judge urged the lawyers to persuade their clients to consider an out-of-court settlement.
If the directive for settlement doesn’t produce results, the Judge mentioned that the case would proceed as scheduled.
At present, the college authorities, parents of the student, and their legal representatives have begun an emergency meeting to resolve the matter.
In an initial ex-parte application, the applicant sought an interim injunction to secure his admission and all associated rights at Loyola Jesuit College.
He also requested the court to prevent the college’s principal and president from denying him education rights pending the resolution of his motion for an interlocutory injunction.
Following the submissions of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Matthew Burkaa, Justice Peter Lifu declined to enforce immediate admission but required the defendants to present their defense in court on August 16.