The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has ordered peaceful protests in Ekiti State over the remand of the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Comrade Adio, describing the court’s action as a violation of due process and his fundamental rights.
The student body also directed its leadership in Ekiti State to begin mobilising for peaceful protests to demand the former student leader’s release.
NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, made the position known in a statement issued on Tuesday after receiving reports of the ruling by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State.
According to Akinteye, the former SUG president had approached the court as the complainant in the matter and was not facing any criminal charge before the proceedings allegedly took a different turn.
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“I have just been briefed that the Magistrate Court in Ekiti State has remanded the immediate past FUOYE SUG President, Comrade Adio, in prison over a matter that he personally instituted before the court,” he said.
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The NANS president expressed concern over what he described as the handling of the case by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the presiding magistrate.
“From the facts available to us, Comrade Adio was the complainant and had no criminal case against him. It is therefore deeply disturbing that the matter was allegedly turned against him through the actions of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the presiding Magistrate.”
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“We view this as judicial rascality, a gross abuse of due process, and a violation of Comrade Adio’s fundamental rights,” he added.
Akinteye said the association had directed its Ekiti leadership to commence mobilisation for peaceful demonstrations until the former student union president regains his freedom.
“In response to this development, I have immediately directed the NANS JCC Chairman, Ekiti Axis, and the NANS National Head of Administration to begin mobilization.”
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“Peaceful actions will be taken to demand justice, including lawful protests at the Ekiti State High Court, the Magistrate Court, and the office of the DPP, until Comrade Adio is released and justice is served,” he said.
He maintained that the association would continue to defend the rights of Nigerian students and ensure that alleged violations are challenged through lawful means.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will not stand by while the rights of Nigerian students are trampled upon. We remain committed to defending justice, the rule of law, and the fundamental rights of every Nigerian student,” Akinteye said.
