Lawyer drags Plateau Govt to court over closure of public schools

A Plateau based legal practitioner, Mr Matiyak John, on Thursday dragged the state government to the Federal High Court, Jos over the closure of schools and suspension of academic activities in primary schools in the state.

The case is being heard by Justice Ambrose Allagoah.

John asked the court to declare that the closure and suspension of academic activates in the primary schools constituted a violation of the pupil’s fundamental right to free and compulsory education.

He said that the closure of  the schools in the past eight months contravened the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, Cap C52, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and was unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

The counsel also asked the court to declare that the failure of the governor, the Attorney-General, and the Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly to call off the strike was a deprivation of the applicant’s right to free education.

John asked the court to make a mandatory order compelling the respondents to order their servants, agents and officers and whosoever to forthwith perform their duties by calling off the strike.

He prayed the court to also compel the respondents to apologise in writing to the pupils and publish same in two national dailies and 10 slots on local radio stations.

The legal practitioner further prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further preventing or depriving the pupils their right to free, compulsory universal basic education.

The court after listening to the prayers of the counsel, fixed Dec. 12, for definite hearing of the matter. (NAN)

Source: Vanguard