The Delta State High Court in Warri has issued a preliminary injunction restraining the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from enforcing its newly introduced policy requiring Nigeria’s university applicants to be at least 16 years old prior to the Court’s review and final decision on the motion filed against the board.
According to a statement issued by Jamb on October 16, only candidates who will attain the age of 16 years old by August 2025 would be admitted to tertiary institutions.
This instruction was in-line with the newly introduced policy by the ministry of education introduced which states the adoption of 18 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.The Board also noted that this policy is an exemption for 2024/2025 admission seekers.
Discontent with JAMB’s regulatory stance, Former Chairman , Nigeria Bar Association, Warri Branch ,John Aikpokpo-Martins, filed a lawsuit against the admission board .
The Single Plantiff , John Aikpokpo -Martins, representing candidates born between September 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, who successfully passed the 2024 JAMB exams, filed a lawsuit,W/311/FHR/2021,against JAMB and Edwin Clark University as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively..
The Judge Justice Anthony Akpovi, on Thursday ,issued a ruling granting the applicant’s requested reliefs, as verified by a Certified True Copy (CTC).
The applicant requested a court’s restraining order to prevent the respondents from implementing or enforcing the 1st respondent’s October 16, 2024, circular directives captioned “Admission of candidates with minimum Admissible age of 16 years” as signed by Mohammed A. Babaji to all Nigerian Universities pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
He also requested that , “An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from withdrawing the admission given to Angel Aikpokpo Martins and/or restricting her rights and privileges and/or preventing her access to school and all educational facilities of the 2nd respondent institution as a student pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion”
In his judgement, Justice Olotu declared that, “Reliefs 1 and 2 are hereby granted to preserve and Protect the respondents, which is the right of every Nigerian child born on the 1st of September 2009 to the 31st of December, 2009, who wrote and passed JAMB exams in 2024 to remain duly admitted by 1st respondent as it applies to all Nigerian Universities including 2nd respondent and the effect is that the 1st respondent’s circular to Vice Chancellors, Provost, Rectors dated 16/10/24 Ref: JAMB/ADMS/139/V”.
“111 is put in abeyance and on hold and the status quo to be maintained is the admission list prior to this circular pending the hearing of the originating motion dated and filed 24/10/24. Reliefs 3(a) and (b) are hereby granted for substituted service by courier service as prayed. Relief 4 for accelerated hearing is also granted.” he added.
Eniola Jolaoso