Justice Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, on Friday ordered the University of Ilorin to reinstate 26 sacked teachers in its secondary school.

Mr. Faji, in his ruling, described the sack of the teachers on Aug. 27, 2007, by the Governing Board of the school as "illegal and flagrant disregard for due process."

The teachers were sacked following their demand for unpaid entitlements and refusal to accept the conditions of service different from that of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.

The judge also ordered the institution to pay all outstanding salaries, allowances and other entitlements due to the teachers till date.

He said available evidences showed that the secondary school was a department of the institution and should enjoy the provisions of the University's Act and other regulations and conditions of service.

Justice Faji noted that the Secondary School Governing Board that sacked the teachers could not competently act as their employer.

He said only the University of Ilorin Governing Council, being their employer, had the sole right to terminate appointments on ground of misconduct.

"The court is satisfied with the conditions and terms of service of the plaintiffs.

"The termination of their appointments is unlawful because laid down procedures were not followed.

"The employment of the plaintiffs with the defendants is still subsisting and I grant all other reliefs as prayed," he added.

NAN