At a press briefing held on Wednesday at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists headquarters, various Civil Society Organisations present urged Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah to take the matter to court.
This recommendation came after Dr. Abdullah’s reaction to the allegations, which led to the termination of his appointment as an Associate Professor of the University of Sierra Leone.
Some of the allegations, which he reacted to, were gross insubordination; disrespect for authority; the issue of renewal of appointment; turning down of appointment as head of department of History and African studies.
Dr. Abdullah has alleged that he was not given any fair opportunity to be heard prior the said decision.
Speaking during the briefing, the Executive Director of the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Ibrahim Tommy said the decision was a clear evidence of “blatant lack of the respect for the rule of law”. He went on to say “the University of Sierra Leone should respect the University’s Act” adding that the Act provides that you cannot suspend or dismiss a faculty member without giving him an opportunity to be heard.
He furthermore said that the decision was unfair and the right of Abdullah was violated reiterating that he must be given fair opportunity to be heard.
He urged Dr. Abdullah to go with them to court if the chancellor failed to reverse the decision. “This decision is unfair and has no legal basis”.
The Executive Director of Native Think Tank Consortium, Edmund Abu also condemned the decision of the university saying “his right was adversely violated and he must be given a fair opportunity to be heard.” He said the decision violates the principle of natural justice.
Peter Beckley, the Executive Director of Centre for Communication and Development Initiative also adding his voice condemned the decision of the university and urged Dr. Abdullah to take the matter forward in order to get justice.
Meanwhile Abdullah has said he will follow due processes of the law.
Friday July 22, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT