By Foday Jalloh
Former Vice Chancellor and Principal (2009-2015), Professor Abdulia Sesay has dragged Njala University to the High Court of Sierra Leone presided over by Hon Justice Jamestina King, through a representation made for and on his behalf by lawyer Pa Momoh Fofanah.
According to lawyer Fofanah, his client is requesting Njala University through the court to avail the professor his end of service benefit and gratuity.
The plaintiff’s lawyer is therefore demanding the Njala University to pay Seven Hundred and Fifty-Three million Old Leones as damage.
In defence of the Njala University, lawyer Elvis Kargbo told the court that the learned Professor Abu Sesay failed to go by the law governing the Office the Principal and Vice Chancellor, NU.
Lawyer Kargbo argued that for one to be entitled to an end of service benefit such person should have serve a minimum of fifteen uninterrupted years as Principal VC NU, noting Prof Sesay served in the said capacity for only 13 years.
He furthered that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education through the Appointment Committee, if deemed necessary will reappoint the said person for the second term, which he said was not in the case of the Prof Sesay.
He described the Prof Sesay’s service over the years as broken and therefore he is not entitled to end of service benefit.
Lawyer Kargbo disclosed that Prof Sesay took leave and did not return for a year, after, which he continued and took another year leave during which he abandoned his office, until 2009 when the job was advertised.
Kargbo therefore informed that former NU VC and Principals like Prof E. H. M. Wright, John Kamara, Victor Strasser King, A. M. Algalli who he said are still receiving their end of service benefits till dead.
Lawyer Elvis Kargbo submitted to the court that the end up service benefit should not be paid to Prof Abu Sesay as per law requires.
