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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
A group of past students of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has threatened legal action against the management of the institution for allegedly granting amnesty to students involved in examination malpractice.
They gave the management of the institution seven days to reverse the amnesty granted to the students or face legal action by the concerned alumni of the institution.
The former students, in a statement jointly signed by Barrister Mohammad Usman and Oluwaseun Akintola, demanded the immediate resignation of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Lar Patricia Manko, and the dissolution of the institution’s Senate.
The former students said they were shocked when they received the news, considering that the institution’s rating has remained low throughout the years among Nigerian universities, adding that the current action by the Senate, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, would completely make the institution nothing more than a glorified secondary school.
“Where on earth does one hear of amnesty being granted to expelled or rusticated students who cheated in examinations, were caught, faced a panel, and were either expelled or rusticated? Are they Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, or separatist agitators that they should be granted amnesty as part of the peace-building process? So those of us who forfeited our sleep and read through the night are foolish?
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“We are more ashamed by the press statement issued and signed by the university’s Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, struggling in lies to convince Nigerians that the decision was taken in good faith and was not politically motivated or targeted at any specific group.”
The former students maintained that after speaking with many lecturers who are still very bitter about the action, they realised it was a decision taken in the interest of powerful politicians who were caught cheating during examinations and punished by disciplinary panels.
“A lecturer even told us he heard that millions of naira were given to some persons in the institution’s top management to free some political figures who felt their images were tarnished when the disciplinary committees of the institution found them guilty of cheating during examinations.
“We are wondering why Professor Lar, appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term, would superintend over such a shameful action with barely a month to the end of her tenure.”
The concerned alumni, however, insisted that there is more to it than meets the eye, noting that the defence and explanations made by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations further heightened suspicion in the minds of Nigerians. “Something should be done quickly before the credentials we carry become worthless papers due to the actions of the current managers of our alma mater.”
