The Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Gbenga Adaramola, has taken over the criminal case filed by the police against 31 students of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

The students had protested on February 7, 2016 on accounts of alleged victimisation and highhandedness by the institution, including the recent hiking of tuition by the management.

Last year, the university hiked the fees of its 400 Level medical students from N1.7m to N2.6m. ABUAD is a private university established by renowned lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). Meanwhile, Adaramola entered his appearance at the resumed hearing of the trial on Friday.

At the last sitting, Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye had adjourned the matter for legal advice following an
application by the police prosecutor, Caleb Leramo.

But at the resumed hearing on Friday, the DPP told the court that there were peace moves between parents and
complainant.

“If the peace deals failed, we would proceed with the trial at the next hearing,” he said.

Responding, one of the defence counsel, Chris Omokhafe, accused the prosecution of deceiving parents with the submission.

He expressed surprise that the DPP took over the prosecution after parents, according to him, have signed
undertakings with the complainant.
He urged the DPP to conclude his legal advice on time, hence, the hearing should commence.

The students were accused of an alleged attempt to rob a branch of Wema Bank in the institution.

The police alleged that the students on February 7 unlawfully committed the offence of arson by burning houses belonging to ABUAD University security staff and burglary of a boutique belonging to the wife of the ABUAD founder.

The alleged offences contravene Section 443(a), 411(2) and 403 of the criminal code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2016.

They are also facing a separate six-count charge including rioting, possession of firearms and malicious damage.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 516,451 and 109 of the criminal Code, Cap C 16,Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

Meanwhile, the Education Rights Campaign has called for the unconditional release of the arrested students.

In a statement issued by ERC on Friday, its national coordinator, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, and national secretary, Michael Ogundele, called for a probe into the activities of the institution.


PUNCH

READ MORE: www.divineloveudorji..co.ke/2016/02/abuads-students-trial-dpp-takes-over.html?m=1

Barr. Babalola should handle this case with utmost maturity, failure which the school would be on a downward spiral...

this soweto guy OF OAU still dey?

They should settle out of court... for the sake of some innocent students amongst them.
The parents should come together to replace/repair damaged things. Simple!

[s]In a statement issued by ERC on Friday, its national coordinator, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, and national secretary, Michael Ogundele, called for a probe into the activities of the institution.
[/s]
This is a turn table for the school authority