By Amos Odeh, Yenagoa
The Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State has ordered the reinstatement of four lecturers demoted by the Federal University of Otuoke, located in Otuoke, Ogbia local council area.
Recall in 2018 the institution downgraded Professor Steve Nwabuzor from the rank of professor to lecturer I; Dr Felina Nwadike, associate professor to senior lecturer.
Others are Dr. Sepribo Lawson- Jack, an associate professor to lecturer I, and Dr. Evans Eze from associate professor to lecturer II.
Presiding Judge, Justice Bashiru Alkali, ruled that the claimants be reinstated to their full status, privileges and entitlements by the institution.
Justice Alkali ruled that the university pay each claimant 5 million Naira for defamation and two hundred thousand each for cost of litigation.
All the litigants were from the Diaspora who returned to serve in the university.