By Eric Elezuo
Parents (under the aegis of Parents’ Coalition Against the Invasion of O.A.U. Students’ Hostels by the EFCC) of 58 out of the 69 students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State, who were unjustly arrested when their hostels were invaded in the wee hours of November 1, 2023, have called out the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for unprofessional conduct, while asking for the unconditional release and complete acquittal of the students.
The parents made their stand known on Friday while addressing the press on the traumatized state of the children, and the need for the anti-graft agency, which they believe, acted unprofessionally to do the right thing, remedy the situation and put an end to harassment of students based on unverified and shaddy investigation.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, one of the Conveners, Mr. Yinka Junaid, described the effect the raid, arrest and molestation of the students is having on them at the moment, noting that it is only thorough apology, retraction of published names and pictures of the students among others will alleviate the pains already ravaging their hearts.
Narrating how it all began, Junaid noted that the students were fast asleep on the morning of November 1, 2023 when the EFCC in swooped in on them like common criminals, arrested 69, and squeezed all of them inside an 18-seater bus before driving to Ibadan all the way from Ife.
“We believe that the actions of the EFCC were not only illegal, but also violated the fundamental rights of our children. Their rights to privacy, dignity, personal liberty amongst others, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, were blatantly disregarded in this operation. Right now, all the children and even some of us parents are already being treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of this unfortunate event,” the parents informed.
While not commenting on the 11 students already charged to court as the matter is sub-judice, the parents maintained that their immediate concern is on the 58 released and proclaimed ones.
“Presently, our focus is on the innocent students that the agency released and returned their devices (which were illegally seized in the first instance), found nothing incriminating on, and are still being caused more trauma, continuous stress and life endangerment by asking them to keep reporting at their office in Ibadan which is around 100 kilometers away from the Obafemi Awolowo University where they school,” he said.
They further noted that “The lives of all these students have not been the same since the early hours of 1st November, 2023 because of an event which has caused them and their families a lot of trauma, untold stress, gross financial burden and potential destruction of the students’ professional future. A cursory online search for the names of any and all of these students will reveal one thing, they have been labelled as internet fraudsters all over the world, because of a wicked, baseless, inhumane and illegal sting action and a follow-up illegitimate listing and announcement of their names as suspects in a crime that never was by the EFCC.”
The Coalition of Parents observed that the EFCC were found wanting in the following areas:
1. Lack of due process: The EFCC failed to adhere to established protocols and legal procedures in conducting this operation. No search warrant was presented (but rather guns), and our children were arrested without any proper explanation or justification, and treated with such shame and disdain. In fact, we strongly believe that no prior investigation, as dictated by law was conducted sequel to the operation. Conversely, it was a case of the students already presumed and labelled guilty, and each one having to prove his innocence.
2. Unlawful invasion of privacy: The EFCC’s invasion of the students’ hostels during the early hours of the morning, and in such a gestapo-like manner was a gross violation of their rights to privacy. Such actions, without any prior investigation, concrete evidence or reasonable suspicion, are unacceptable and can never be justified. We therefore seek to know what excuse or justification accounted for jettisoning all known standard protocol on investigation and arrest.
It therefore, demanded without delay, the following:
1. Unconditional release and Clearance: We call on the EFCC to completely release all our children on whom nothing has been found unconditionally, and without delay. We also demand that the agency expunge their names, pictures, identities, biometrics and everything pertaining to them from all EFCC records and all social media platforms. To this end, we expect the announcement of the removal of their names followed by the issuance of a public apology. The public apology must be advertised in leading national newspapers and circulated on all its (EFCC) social media handles, websites, independent online media outlets, and all news agencies in the country.
We also call on the agency to speedily conclude its investigations on students who have been released but whose devices including academic tools are still being held.
2. Accountability and investigation: We demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding this operation. We make an outcry to the Chief Law Officer, Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN in this regard. It is worthy of mention that during the Honourable A.G’s screening exercise on the Floor of the Senate, he had condemned EFCC’s unfashionable mode of operation.
3. Reform and safeguards: Once more, we call on the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation in particular, and urge the government to implement reforms within law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Strengthening legal safeguards, oversight mechanisms, and training programs is essential to protect the rights of Nigerian citizens.
Additionally, the Coalition called on “public and civil society organizations to stand in solidarity with us in condemning this flagrant abuse of power,” noting that “it is crucial that we collectively raise our voices to safeguard the rights and dignity of every Nigerian citizen, especially our youths, who represent the future of our great nation. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”
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