Summary of Garba v. University of Maiduguri

Garba v. University of Maiduguri

There was a riot at the University of Maiduguri during which the personal effects of the Deputy vice-chancellor were among the property destroyed. The Vice-Chancellor set up an administrative panel headed by the Deputy vice-chancellor who coincidentally was a victim of the riot, to inquire into the matter. The appellants, who did not know the evidence against them, were expelled for allegedly taking part in the riot following the report of the investigative panel. The Supreme Court set aside the decision of the panel since an Administrative panel has no competence to make final pronouncement on a Criminal charge or any matter at all. The implication of the guarantee of fair hearing is that offences which are against the criminal law of the land, can only be tried by a law court.