By Andrews Michael, Benin City

Five members of the University of Benin Students’ Union Government have been suspended from office indefinitely over alleged “gross misconduct” and “negligence”, CAMPUS GIST reports.

Their suspension came on Saturday, April 20 at the first sitting of the Parliamentary arm since their inauguration in August, 2018.

Those suspended include the President, Idehen Charles; Vice President, Chikamso Glory; Secretary General, Francis Ihejirika; Director of Welfare, Ikponmwen Godspower; and Director of Finance, Iyobosa Oviawe.

According to our correspondent who observed the sitting, the President was suspended for allegedly signing an “agreement” with the school authority to impose a N3,000 levy on the students, while the Vice President was suspended for allegedly sourcing funds amounting to over a million naira in the name of the union ‘without the consent or approval of the Parliament.’

The Director of Welfare was suspended for “neglecting his duties” by allowing grasses to take over the school environment, and not attending to light issues on campus. The Director of Finance on the other hand, was suspended for charging students N1,000 to participate in his “Free Scholarship Programme”, while the Secretary General was suspended for leaving the Students’ Union Secretariat dirty.

The suspended members of executive are to return all union properties in their possession and vacate their offices until the committee set up to investigate their alleged crimes conclude their investigation.

FIRST SITTING

The sitting was scheduled to begin at 10am immediately after the procession which was to kick off at the main auditorium, continue at Ekehuan campus and completed at Ugbowo campus.

Although many parliamentarians were observed to be present, they, however, had logistics problem as principal officers were seen making efforts to provide procession gowns for those who did not have one.

They departed for Ekehuan campus and returned to Ugbowo at about 1pm. Our correspondent at the venue reports that the sitting started at exactly 2pm.

The sitting began with the adoption of the agenda which included ratification of the judicial arm, ratification of the committees, state of the union, amongst others.

DRAMA AT PLENARY

The ratification of the judicial arm took quite a dramatic turn as some students presented to the House by the Attorney General, Orumen Ifidon on the recommendation of Law Students Association (LAWSA) to constitute the judiciary failed to meet certain criteria; one of which is that every faculty must have at least one member present in the judicial arm of the SUG.

The House proceeded on recess after the Speaker, Rt. (Hon) Philip Manasseh ran through the committee lists containing names of members of parliament, their faculties and portfolios. This followed the adoption of the standing order by the House.

Our correspondent reports that another drama occurred during recess just outside the venue as some men who claimed to be members of the military attacked some members of parliament. This was followed by reactions and counter reactions from parliamentarians, security personnels and a few “notable individuals” present.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING

The sitting resumed with the President, Idehen Charles reading the State of the Union. At this point, tension was already in the air as the sitting had been threatened to be put on hold due to interference from external forces.

The State of the Union was, however, read by the President and the floor opened for questions and observations.

N3,000 SAGA

Concerning a certain N3,000 levied on all students by the school management which the President mentioned in his State of the Union, members of the parliament including Hon. Divine A., reacted saying there were rumours that some members of the executive gave consent before the implementation of the said levy.

Hon. Edwards from the faculty of Law, demanded to know which of the executive members were present at the meeting and what the terms of discussion were. Every member of the Executive Council except the Secretary General and Director of Socials were said to be present at the “meeting” with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Ikponmwonsa Omoruyi.

ALLEGATIONS AND REACTIONS

Reactions from other members of parliament also trailed the State of the Union which was read by the President. Some of which include why the President, Vice President and Financial Secretary were already organizing programmes without the approval of the parliament.

Allegations were also made that the VP had, using the name of the Union, collected monies from external sources to the tunes of millions. A source close to the VP disclosed that among those visited by Glory (VP) in her quest for “free donations” included the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.

The Director of Finance was quizzed for collecting N1,000 from students as registration fee to partake in a ‘scholarship scheme’ he is organizing in partnership with some banks on campus. CAMPUS GIST reliably gathered that some members of parliament were angered by the move accusing him of extorting students despite having gotten an approval of N700,000 from the school authority for the said programme.

MORE DRAMAS, SUSPENSION

Just during the heat of the debate and while some members of parliament were already pushing for the suspension of the executives, another parliamentarian, Hon. Godstime Oghogho from Medicine, seized the moment to raise another motion which is an anomaly that some members of the executive are incompetent.

At this juncture, rowdiness greeted the session as tension increased due to the presence of some external forces, even as there were already two motions pending before the House.

Hon. Oghogho hence pushed for the suspension of the union members, which was seconded by another parliamentarian. This however did not go down well, as the motion was met with strong resistance by few members of the House. The five members were, however, subsequently suspended.

CAMPUS GIST learnt that scuffle broke out immediately following the suspension of the five student leaders as the external forces at the scene, who were against the action and decision, moved to attack parliamentarians.

Our correspondent reports that the Speaker had to quickly call for a motion for adjournment of plenary.

Immediately, members of the parliament scampared for safety as troubles loomed due to the fact that the actions taken were against the wishes of some individuals, including some parliamentarians.

People were seen running in all directions to protect themselves while the parliamentarian who raised the motion, Oghogho had to be whisked away for his own safety.

REACTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS

Reacting to the development, a member of parliament who did not want his name mentioned, argued that the suspension of the student leaders was unconstitutional and a gross violation of their rights as enshrined in section 36(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which the Students’ Union constitution is subject to by virtue of section 3(1) of the SUG constitution.

Section 36(1) of the 1999 constitution provides that, “In the determination of his/her rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time...”. “But this cannot be said of the issue in contest as the executive members were suspended without giving them an opportunity to respond to the allegations and charges preferred against them,” he opined.

Speaking further, the parliamentarian added that “the Parliament before suspending them ought to have heard their own part of the story. Allegation no matter how grave can never ground conviction – this is the position of the law”.

“What transpired at the inaugural plenary was ‘witch-hunting’ as no member of the executive was given room to speak even though they were raising their hands as a sign of indication”.

Another member of parliament, who took to the parliament’s official WhatsApp group page, wrote; “For me, I don't think Sec Gen deserves to be suspended simply because the SUG secretariat was dirty, besides no money has been allocated to him yet to pay the cleaners but we were so fast to act without asking him questions. Also, the Sec Gen isn't among those who went for the N3,000 meeting with the DVC.

“Are you guys even aware that he (Sec Gen) has been using his personal money to pay the cleaners since after the University terminated their contract with the cleaners?. He couldn't continue paying them because he wasn't allocated any money yet but we all just attacked him without questioning...

“For me I think I’m disappointed in this House (parliament) for failing to ask him questions before passing judgment. Well, the deed is done already, the committee should carry out their own investigations.”

Efforts to obtain comments from the suspended executive members proved abortive. Though the Secretary General (suspended) promised to get back to our correspondent, he was, however, yet to do so as at press time.

Michael is CAMPUS GIST UNIBEN Correspondent.

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