News

Police Arrest Two Over OAU Student’s Death

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2023

Two persons said to be members of the Awo Hall Executives have been arrested by the police, following the death of a 500 Level student of the Civil Engineering Department at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ahize Okoli.

Okoli was reportedly beaten to death by a mob on suspicion that he stole a mobile phone.

Sources on the campus said the student was accused of stealing a mobile phone in Awo Hall on Monday and after he had been severely beaten, he was moved to the Students Union Building in the early hours of Tuesday where he remained till around noon.

It was further learnt that because of the beating he received, Okoli’s health deteriorated and he was rushed to the OAU Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, where he was confirmed dead Tuesday afternoon.

The Osun State Police Command, while giving an update on the incident on Wednesday, described the two people detained as student leaders.

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who spoke to journalists, said, “Investigation into the incident will continue and justice would be served. We have arrested two student leaders in connection with the incident.”

Also speaking, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the police should be allowed to investigate the matter, adding that the management of the institution would also carry out its investigation.

Olanrewaju said, “The university will not meddle in such a grievous offence. It bothers on the criminality of murder.

“So, let the police do their job and we will do our own here. We are going ahead with our investigation.”

Meanwhile, students in the Faculty of Technology, on Wednesday, blocked roads leading to the school campus in protest against Okoli’s death.

The protesters, who also demanded the arrest of all those involved in the assault on the deceased student, specifically called for the arrest of student security volunteers, who allegedly took custody of the deceased after he had been assaulted in Awo Hall of Residence.

The protesting students, who also ensured that lecture did not hold on campus, as a sign of respect for the deceased student, later removed the barricade and allowed movement into the campus, after the Dean, the Division of Students Affairs, Prof. Olalekan Aransi, had listened to their demands.

Aransi, while addressing the students, pleaded with them to let peace reign, assuring them that the management would address their concerns.

News

UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam

Published

48 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 5,000 students of the University of Benin are likely to miss the second semester examination over failure to pay their school fees.

A memo released by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, said they are the students who failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders, and that they failed to subscribe to students’ loan being provided by the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to Bobola, to make sure that the defaulting students are bar from writing the second semester examination which has already commenced today, September 29, 2025, the school management has put in place an enforcement team.

The memo reads partly, “With the Second Semester examination set to begin on Monday 29th September, 2025, these students shall be barred from writing the examination if they fail to pay their school charges or subscribe to the students loan by NELFUND.

“About 5,000 students have been identified in this category of defaulters.

“In compliance with the directive of Senate of the University of Benin, these students SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED to write the forthcoming examination.

“Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are SPECIALLY required to enforce the directive of Senate without compromise.

“In this regard, the Provost, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are to publish the list of ALL DEFAULTING STUDENTS in their respective Colleges, Schools, Faculties, Institutes and Departments not later than 8am on Monday, 29th September, 2025.

“This is to enable the affected students to know their status as defaulters and afford them the opportunity to remedy their situation before the examination begins.

“Management has, accordingly, appointed an Enforcement Task Force headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), to monitor and enforce full compliance with the directive of Senate.

“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the University’s high standards.”

News

JUST IN: Court Declares Utomi’s ‘Shadow Govt’ Unconstitutional

Published

4 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, and his associates to halt their plan to establish a shadow government.

In a judgment delivered on Monday in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), the judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared that the idea of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and incompatible with the nation’s presidential system of government.

The judge held that the idea was inconsistent with the country’s presidential system and could mislead citizens.

He ruled that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise any parallel or alternative government outside the one it provides for.

“Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people. Such a shadow government is hereby declared void,” the judge ruled.

News

JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues

Published

6 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The union made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.

At the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for universities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

Details later