Education Rights Campaign (ERC) group has demanded an unconditional release of five students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who reportedly resisted eviction of female students from their hostels by the school management.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Hassan Soweto, ERC accuses the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede of deliberate assault on the fundamental human rights of the students.
ERC said that the move was a calculated attempt by the school management to silence dissent from the students.
The five students, Gbenga Olaniran, Oyedeji Samson, Olajide Adedamola, Jimoh Oladipupo and Adeniji John, were arraigned on Thursday, March 22, at the Ife Magistrate Court 24 hours after the university management reportedly handed them over to the police.
The school management accused the students of assaulting university officials sent to clean Moremi Hall, which was said to have been marked for renovation.
However, during the arraignment of the students, it was reported that students and journalists were denied access to the courtroom by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.
While students and journalists were barred from the proceedings, the acting student union security officer, Opeyemi Oprah, who was present during the proceeding said the arraigned students were granted bail.
And the bail terms for each of the students according to report includes N500,000 bond and provision of two sureties, who must be civil servants of level 11 and above as well as taxpayers.
