UNN panel recommends expulsion of four students for roles in crisis

The panel set up by the management of the University of Nigeria , Nsukka to investigate the crisis that rocked the institution on January 16, 2010 has recommended the expulsion of four students for their involvement in the violent protest that led to the destruction of properties at the Nsukka campus of the institution.

Our correspondent gathered that the affected students were penciled down for expulsion over the prominent roles they played during the protest by the students to stop moves to increase tuition fees.

Our correspondent gathered that the authorities had concluded plans to impose N70m levies on the students for the damages to school properties during the demonstration.

This decision reportedly heated up the Nsukka campus, forcing the management to hurriedly shut down the university last Friday.

But sources in the institution alleged that the order to vacate the campus issued to the students was to give the authorities room to expel the four students without causing another students’ unrest.

Though examinations were still ongoing to conclude the last academic session, a statement by the acting public relations officer of the institution, Mr. Mike Asogwa, specified that any examinations taking place after the order for students to vacate the hostels could only hold if the vice-chancellor gives approval.

The PRO’s statement with reference, VC/PRO/155A, dated March 2, 2010, reads, “I am directed to remind you that the 2008/2009 academic session will formally come to an end on Thursday, March 04, 2010 and all students vacate campus on Friday, March 5, 2010 instant”

It was further gathered that the Governing Council of the school held meetings from last Wednesday to Friday during which it deliberated on the report of the panel it set up on the students’ protest and that part of the decisions taken was to rusticate the four students.

But a female member of the panel was said to have refused to sign the report that recommended the severe punishment.

The dissenting panel member, a professor, reportedly told the council that it was unjust and unfair to single out the four students for actions taken by a mob of thousands of students who took to the streets on the day of the protest. The don was also said to have claimed that the council’s decision to expel the four students did not follow due process since no disciplinary committee has been set up to try them.

One of those marked for expulsion is the President of the Senate of the Students’ Union, Mr. Kingsley Asogwa and other members of the Student Union Government.

But the Media Consultant to the UNN, Mr. Chido Nwakanma could not be reached for comments as calls made to his GSM telephone on Sunday were not responded t

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