UEW saga: Supreme Court has not reinstated Avoke - Afenyo Markin clarifies

Member of Parliament (MP) for Efutu in the Central Region Alexander Afenyo Markin has exclusively told MyNewsGh.com that the Supreme Court by its ruling is not directing for the reinstatement of the dismissed Vice Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba, Professor Mawutor Avoke.

According to him, the plaintiff did in his statement of claim did not ask for reinstatement but rather was at the supreme seeking a declaration that the reliefs of supi kwayera required the taking of evidence even in the absence of defense by the defendant.

“Avoke was not removed by a court order. He was removed by a governing council decision. The orders of the high court which were quashed today were never executed by the plaintiff supi kwayera. Avoke was at the supreme seeking a declaration that the reliefs of supi kwayera required the taking of evidence even in the absence of defense by the defendant. No order was made to reinstate him. Avoke never prayed the court to reinstate him. It’s important for this to be put on record. The propaganda will not help the NDC”, he disclosed to MyNewsGh.com.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday by unanimous decision said the High Court in Winneba breached the rule of natural justice by failing to give the defendants a hearing in a case in which Professor Mawutor Avoke as Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba was involved.

It, therefore, overturned the decision by the High Court on grounds that there was the need to afford both parties [Defendants and Plaintiffs] an opportunity to present their case indicating that the earlier decision by the court amounted to an error of law patent on the record.

Background

It would be recalled that MyNewsGh.com reported how the Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba Professor Mawutor Avoke and four others were recently dismissed based on recommendations by the governing council of the university but the accused persons maintain their sack was politically motivated

Professor Mawutor Avoke, the Finance Officer, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Daniel Tetteh, Mary Dzimey and Frank Owusu Boateng have however denied any wrongdoing and that they have not been found guilty by any court of competent jurisdiction.

“As individuals, we have not been taken to any court and no charges have been brought against us. We have also not appeared before any court or been heard by any court on any charges. It is not true that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mawutor Avoke and the Finance Officer, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie were found guilty of procurement or financial malfeasance by any court”, the disclosed in a statement.

Meanwhile, Last month, Very Reverend Father Professor A. Afful-Broni, PhD was subsequently appointed in an acting capacity and confirmed by the same council and sworn into office as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of UEW.