'Stop prosecuting arrested students, refund excess fees'

jonathan

March 18, 2015 2:23 PM

Governor Babatunde Fashola has been urged to stop the prosecution of students arrested during last year's fees protests. Leaders of the institution’s SUG made the call during their inauguration.

Leaders of the Lagos State University (LASU) Student Union Government (SUG) have urged called on Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to stop prosecution of students arrested during last year's fees protests.

Eight LASU students are being prosecuted at the Ikeja Magistrate court for their involvement in the violent struggle against the school fee hike at the institution .

Fashola eventually reverted the fees to the old figures at LASU's 19th Convocation.

Speaking to newsmen at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Ikeja, the newly inaugurated LASU SUG President, Adeyemi Wasiu Onikoro, said the arrested students are law abiding citizens who only exercised their rights to protest.

Onikoro said Fashola's decision to bow down to the pressure of the protests and reverse "the then bogus school fees from N250, 000 to N25, 000" was a positive result of the protest which should move the government to discontinue the prosecution.

“It is our belief that these students have been vindicated by this singular act of the governor.

"The union therefore sees no reason why these students prosecution should be continued,” he said.

The student leader also urged Fashola to ensure that all students get the refund of the excess school fees they paid.

He said only 25 per cent of the affected students have been paid.

It will be recalled that, in August 2014, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Lagos State, Mr. Yakub Eletu, said institution's management was v, for their active role in the protests.

"Since the fee has been reduced by the governor, there is no need for the school management to victimize anyone," Eletu said at the time.

In February, the Lagos State government said it has refunded N209 million to students as part of the excess fees.

jonathan