The Southwest Zonal leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has received with serious concern, an official report about a final year student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Comr. Banjo Kehinde Folawunmi, with Matric Number 2022/0238, a final year student of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AERD) whose fundamental rights as a student of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was violated and has left him mentally drained and psychologically traumatized due to intentional gross denial of fair hearing, abuse of disciplinary procedures, and an apparent violation of the principles of natural justice in the handling of an incident that should not have even been escalated in the first place.

Having carried out some facts finding and carefully reviewed the available facts before us, NANS is deeply disturbed by the fact that a student was subjected to a witch hunt by the very same people who are supposed to serve as fathers and mothers to students; culminating in rustication for what ordinarily should have been resolved through mutual understanding and mutual respect. The specific allegations against him, and the basis upon which such a severe punishment was imposed are questionable as it is an obvious attempt to victimize an innocent student who has a long standing record of high integrity.

Even more troubling are the claims that the student was denied a fair opportunity to defend himself and that his explanation was not accorded proper consideration throughout the disciplinary process. Every Nigerian student deserves justice, transparency, and due process, regardless of the circumstances surrounding any allegation.

What makes the entire process more ridiculous is the fact that the lecturer playing the victim card, Dr. Henry Ojaowo of ABG Department, is notorious for exhibiting hostility to students and over-zealousness at every given opportunity. Hundreds of students have made repeated reports about him yet the Management and ASUU, FUNAAB Chapter failed to call their employee and member to order. Mutual respect is imperative in an academic institution and it is expected that lecturers should also be cautioned about their conduct towards students.

Consequently, NANS Southwest Zonal leadership hereby issues the Management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, a 72-hour ultimatum to immediately review and reverse the disciplinary action taken against the concerned student.

We further demand that the University institutes an independent review that guarantees impartiality and beyond this, the Management must provide appropriate compensation for the psychological trauma, emotional distress, academic disruption, and reputational damage suffered by the student as a consequence of the undiplomatic approach to handling this matter.

Failure by the University Management to act within the next 72 hours will leave Southwest Zonal Leadership of NANS with no alternative but to mobilize thousands of students from the 6 different States of the Southwest down to Abeokuta. We shall relocate our Zonal Headquarters to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and commence peaceful but decisive actions, including a total shutdown of academic and administrative activities within the university until justice is served. At that point, we shall jointly hold the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics (who happens to be the Chairman of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee) and the Dean of Students’ Affairs accountable for every consequence arising from the University's refusal to address this matter responsibly and in accordance with the principles of justice.

This communication also serves as formal notification to all relevant security agencies to ensure that they are aware of our position and to encourage all parties to maintain peace and uphold the rights of citizens.

NANS remains committed to constructive engagement and dialogue. However, we shall never stand by while any Nigerian student is subjected to oppression, victimization, or a disciplinary process that fails to uphold fairness, transparency, and justice.

Aluta Continua! Victoria Ascerta!

Yours faithfully,

Comrade Adeyemo Josiah

BILLIONCODES

Coordinator, NANS Zone D

+2348139474542


Cc:

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command.

The Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun State Command.

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command.