University of Legon sued

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - The University of Ghana, Legon on Thursday entered appearance in the case in which the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) students at the University has filed an ex-parte motion at an Accra Fast Track High Court restraining it from conducting examinations on Saturdays.

Mr A. T. Konu, Registrar of the University accompanied by Mr Emmanuel Ohene, a legal practitioner represented the University. This followed an order by the court that Mr Konu, Registrar should file a supplementary affidavit in response within 24 hours upon receiving the motion.

On Wednesday when the case was called, the University was not represented.

Mr Ohene told the Court that they have been served with the Court's order to respond to an affidavit of the students. He said the University was not aware of the motion and they had not been served with any papers.

"The only paper we have been served was the writ of summons. This, Mr Ohene, explained was the reason why the University was not able to file an affidavit in opposition.

He said in matters such as these the Plaintiff should have their motion on notice in order to give them (the University) three clear days to file their response.

Mr Albert Adaare, counsel for the students (plaintiffs), however, stated that the order and motion had been served on the Registrar on Wednesday.

The Court, however, expressed its readiness to receive the University's response anytime before it delivered its ruling on Friday.

About 149 students pursuing various courses at the University led by Mr Emmanuel Adu Poku are praying the Court for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the University from conducting examinations on November 19; November 26; December 3 and December 10 2005.

They are also seeking perpetual injunction to restrain agents and servants of the University among others not to compel them to participate in academic activities including writing examinations on Saturdays.

The motion said the University's conduct of rescheduling examinations on Saturdays for courses offered was "illegal, unlawful and breach of human rights".

They are, therefore, seeking an order from the Court to direct the University to reschedule all examinations fixed on Saturdays. In an affidavit supporting the motion, the students declared that they were all members of the SDA, who sincerely practised the SDA religious faith that did not allow them to engage in any secular activity or work on Saturday (The Sabbath Day) These activities, they said, included attending lectures and tutorials or seminars.