Ede Poly changes student expulsion to suspension

The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun, has converted the expulsion of 27 students from the institution into suspension for the 2023/2024 academic session.

The council also granted clemency to four students who were previously suspended by the polytechnic management.

The management on July 27 had expelled 27 students and suspended eight others for their role in the violent protests on May 9 at the institution.

Some students protested the arrest of their colleagues by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Owode, a community near the institution.

During the protests, the polytechnic staff club was attacked and several vehicles were damaged by students.

However, the board of directors at its first meeting on August 21 formed an ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the students’ expulsions and suspensions.

Chairman of the board, Prof. Taiwo Olaiya, who spoke to journalists at a press briefing on Friday, said the affected students were pardoned based on the recommendation of the ad hoc committee.

He added that a previous ban on student unions at the school had also been lifted.

The chairman said the school management had been directed to form a faculty representative who would manage union affairs until the end of the current semester.

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Olaiya also said that the council also ratified the committee’s recommendation requiring all students in the institution to pay an indemnity of N10,000 as a precautionary measure.

He said: “The council endorsed the committee’s recommendations, and the resolution was that the expulsion of 27 students has been converted into suspension for the 2023/2024 academic session.

“For those who were previously suspended, they have been fully pardoned with a warning not to involve themselves in such acts again.

“The council has also lifted the ban on student union activities at the institution following the protests.

“The polytechnic leadership has been directed to form a faculty representative body that will hold the union position between now and the end of the semester.”

“Finally, all students in the institution must pay damages of N10,000 each as a precautionary measure against similar unfortunate incidents in the future.”

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