By William Olaleye
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has in a press statement on Sunday, demanded that the University of Ibadan cancel all disciplinary actions against her students, Nice Linus, Aduwo Ayodele and Olamide Gbadegesin.
In the statement, the Association strongly condemned the planned expulsion of the students, “over their participation in a peaceful protest against outrageous fee hike,” calling it “not only unjust but reckless.”
“This development is not only alarming, but fundamentally undermines the principles of democracy, free expression, and Students’ right to peaceful assembly.” The statement read.
NANS further opined that this act could cast the University of Ibadan in a bad light as “a repressive institution that punishes dissent and criminalises civic engagement.”
The statement also expressed the demands of the association, which aligned with Global Rights and other civil society actors who have condemned this plan.”
They demanded “the immediate cancellation of capital disciplinary action of expulsion against the three students involved in the protest.”
They further demanded that the University of Ibadan “publicly clarify its stance within seven (7) working days,” as well as a public apology from security agencies involved in the “illegal arrest and harassment of the students.”
The statement concluded by declaring that NANS would not sit by and watch student rights get trampled on. “And we shall not sit idly while our rights are trampled upon.”
Reports reaching the UCJUI suggest that 2 of the UI3—Aduwo and Mide would be facing the CSDC today to know the verdict of the panel, while the fate of Nice is still in limbo.
