Indefinite suspension of Iniobong Isang Ekpo

*Nigerians, rise before anarchy engulfs Akwa Ibom State University

In an act that reeks of crass shamelessness, callousness and brutality, the Akwa Ibom State University is hellbent in tarnishing the image of Iniobong Isang Ekpo (Afrosix Jaara), a young activist who has done them good, not harm.

A poorly printed message tagged Notice of Indefinite Suspension has been copiously pasted in both campuses (Obio Akpa and Ikot Akpaden) of the institution.

His offence? Using his Facebook page to remind Governor Udom Emmanuel that he has yet to redeem his pledge of employing first class graduates of the institution as well as giving them N100,000 each, as promised.

A kangaroo panel was setup to bully the young activist into silence. A verdict was already delivered before he was given an opportunity to defend himself.

And now, the school management has paid persons to paste A4 crayoned nonsense tagged ‘Notice of Indefinite Suspension’ on all blocks of AKSU twin campuses.

I knew Afrosix Jaara a couple of years ago at the height of rape incidences at AKSU. A particular case of a female student who was gang-raped from dusk to dawn, tied up and beaten up, drew my attention. I waded in and did some discreet investigation. He helped greatly in the investigation.

On social media, Afrosix Jaara always campaigned for justice for the rape victims. In return, he received threats to cease the advocacy. “Don’t forget, a son of an AKSU senior lecturer was alleged to be a member of the rape tag-team,” it was learnt.

While Afrosix has received an offer to study in a foreign university, AKSU’s decision to inordinately suspend him is an offence that can be challenged in a court of law.

He never insulted the governor; he only advised as a bonafide citizen. Assuming without conceding that he insulted or abused the governor, AKSU lacks the powers to act on that because the governor is not a principal officer of the institution. The AKSU Student Handbook is noticeably clear on that!

It has long become public knowledge that AKSU as a cesspit of tyranny, is under the jackboots of demi-gods who see students as lesser beings. Students learn in slavish conditions.

Uncountable cases of tyranny inundate the lifespan of the young institution. Tales of inordinate expulsions, suspension, arrest, and arraignment of students and staff of the institution who dare question the state of affairs in the institution have always been in the news.

For demanding that their salaries be paid, two members of staff were arrested and paraded like criminals, before being charged to court.

The courts wasted no time in striking out such unwise suit, which attracted shame to the legal profession.

Sadly, the masterminds of these cases of witch-hunt carry big academic togas like professors, doctors; some are pastors, elders, deacons, et al, in churches.

I boldly submit that the perpetrators of these dictatorial acts are stoking fires of anarchy in the institution.

A university is an institution of higher learning, not a temple of tyranny.

Inordinately suspending Iniobong Isang Ekpo (Afrosix Jaara) will never hush the clamour for the liberation of AKSU.

A thousand Afrosix Jaara shall rise and continue pushing the advocacy.

To this end, I call on Afrosix Jaara to drag everyone involved in his ordeal to court. They must suffer the consequences of pausing your ascent in the ladder of destiny.

The power-drunk professors, doctors, lecturers, bribed student leaders and all their accomplices must defend their actions in court.

Shame on tyrants!

Ofonime Honesty was once a victim of tyranny in AKSU. He writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.