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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National Headquarters has condemned the death of 23-year-old student, Faith Alayande, at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and demanded a thorough, independent investigation into the incident.
In a Monday statement, the Council of Legal Education confirmed the incident through a statement signed by the Council and Director of Administration, Aderonke O. Osho.
The council, which operates the Nigerian Law School, said the student died after falling from the rooftop of a hostel at about 4:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7.
In a Wednesday statement signed its Secretary General, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, NANS said it received the news “with deep sorrow and grave concern” and expressed serious concern over safety, security and welfare arrangements at the Lagos Campus.
While acknowledging the statement released by the Council of Legal Education/Nigerian Law School on the incident, the association said “several questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered and require urgent, transparent and independent clarification.”
“The death of a student within an institution hostel must not be treated merely as an unfortunate occurrence. It demands a transparent, impartial and comprehensive examination of the circumstances leading to the incident,” the statement reads in part.
NANS extended condolences to the deceased’s family, colleagues and the entire Law School community, noting that “no family should be confronted with the devastating loss of a young person under circumstances that raise serious questions regarding the safety and security of students within an institution of learning.”
The student body issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Council of Legal Education/Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, to provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
NANS specifically demanded: a full account of the incident and events preceding and immediately following the student’s fall; disclosure of security and safety measures in place at the hostel at the time; outcome of an immediate safety and security audit of rooftops, balconies, stairways, access points and other hazardous areas; clarification on the availability and functionality of CCTV surveillance, access-control systems, security personnel and emergency-response mechanisms; and immediate implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence.
“Failure to provide satisfactory responses within the stipulated period will compel NANS National Secretariat to take further necessary steps in the interest of justice and the protection of Nigerian students and the relocation of the national secretariat to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, until all our demands are met,” the student body said.
NANS also announced it will constitute a 7-man investigative committee to independently probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It said the committee will engage stakeholders, students and management “with a view to establishing the facts and making recommendations to prevent a reoccurrence.”
“Enough is enough. Nigerian students deserve safe campuses,” NANS stated.
