Senate summons expelled UniAbuja students over fees protest, launches investigation

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has commenced an investigation into the expulsion of two final-year students, Cyprian Igwe and Olamilekan Oladeru, from the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).

The students were expelled in July on allegations of planning a protest against proposed school fee hikes.

Their plight has garnered attention, leading to their summoning by the senate committee.

Cyprian Igwe, the director of Social and Culture, and Olamilekan Oladeru, the director of Sports of the Students’ Union at UniAbuja, were on the verge of completing their final year examinations and eagerly awaiting their results when they were abruptly expelled from the institution.

The expulsion, initiated by the university, accused them of inciting other students to stage a protest if the school administration failed to reconsider its decision to increase tuition fees within five days.

Since their expulsion, these two students have been left in limbo, fearing that their academic pursuits were jeopardised due to an offense they vehemently deny committing.

In response to their predicament, Igwe and Oladeru submitted a petition to the Senate, imploring its intervention to convince the university authorities to reinstate them and allow them to graduate.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has taken up the matter.

Cyprian Igwe confirmed that he had been summoned by the Senate committee to present his case.

The official invitation, dated October 26, 2023, and signed by Freedom Osolo, the clerk of the house committee handling the case, directed Igwe to appear before the Senate committee on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

The invitation stated that the matter had been referred to the committee for a thorough investigation and legislative action.

It is worth noting that Cyprian Igwe had submitted his petition to the Senate through Victor Umeh, the senator representing Anambra senatorial district, where he originates. Igwe expressed his readiness to honour the senate’s invitation and present his case as scheduled.

In contrast, Olamilekan Oladeru disclosed that he had yet to receive a separate invitation letter from the Senate. However, he intends to join Igwe in appearing before the committee on the designated date.

Oladeru plans to request that the committee address their cases together since they were accused of the same offense under similar circumstances.

Both Igwe and Oladeru emphasised that they had been escorted out of the university premises by school security officers on the day they received their expulsion letters.

These officers issued a stern warning, prohibiting them from setting foot on campus as students.

The unfolding investigation by the senate committee offers hope for these students, who are determined to clear their names and secure their right to graduate.

Their case serves as a reminder of the impact of student activism and the critical role of legislative bodies in addressing matters of injustice within educational institutions.

The upcoming hearing on November 14, 2023, will be a pivotal moment for Cyprian Igwe, Olamilekan Oladeru, and the University of Abuja, as the senate delves into the allegations and seeks to ensure fairness in their pursuit of education.