Bailiffs still holding University of Ghana vehicles

Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - Bailiffs are still holding 24 vehicles belonging to the University of Ghana, Legon, pending the outcome of discussions between the Lawyers of Dr J.E.W.J. Van Landerwijk, a former Lecturer of the Geology Department of the University and the University Authorities.

This follows an agreement between the Lawyers of the Former Geology Professor and the University of Ghana to see how best they could meet the order of an Accra High Court to recover fees owed to Dr Van Landerwijk being University consultancy services and arrears of pension payments from March 1993 to date.

Sources close to the Former Lecturer's legal team told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday that an amicable settlement could be reached soon.

"But the vehicles are being held in accordance with the Court's order and also to ensure that justice, equity and fairness are reached." premier University to a virtual halt.

Dr Landerwijk lectured at the University from 1958 to 1983 when he retired. The University awarded him pension of 4,654 pounds per annum with an annual increment of 105 pounds.

Dr Landerwijk initially worked as a lecturer in the Geology Department of the University from 1958 and retired on September 30, 1983.

The University awarded him a pension of 4,654.94 pounds per annum with an annual increment of 105 pounds. From 1984 to 1993 the University paid the Lecturer's pension regularly.

Dr Landerwijk on November 2, 1987 wrote to the University about his increment but was informed that although it had not been established or altered, it had been suspended due to financial constraints. The Lecturer was not satisfied with the explanation and, therefore, brought an action against the University.

The University initially acknowledged the Lecturer's entitlement and the arrears for 19 months, but later wrote to Dr Landerwijk stating that he was entitled to only an annual pension of 2,364 dollars. "Due to a mistake made in the use of the exchange rate, Defendants stated inter alia that the Plaintiff's pension was a cedi pension and as a result of wrong calculation the Plaintiff rather owed the University." The University unilaterally converted the pension into cedis from October 1996.

In a writ of Fieri Facia, the University is to pay a total of 233,142 pounds; 4.049 million cedis and 1,635 euros, including interest and cost of execution.

The High Court had endorsed Dr Landerwijk's relief in his writ of summons.

The Lecturer in his writ against the University also prayed the Court to grant a refund of cost for bringing his vehicle in accordance with the terms of his engagement from 1989 to 1994.

The Court on January 28, 2005 ordered that Dr Landerwijk's entitlement as per judgment should be paid to him as endorsed on the writ of summons.

The Court awarded costs of 15-million cedis. However, the University defaulted and on July 12, 2006, an auctioneer with the assistance of the Police executed the writ of Fieri Facis and attached moveable properties including Tata buses, Nissan Urvan buses; cross-country vehicles and pickups at the University's premises.