Medical student sues Gregory University for human rights violations, others

Dennis Udoma

An undergraduate medical student at Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Mr. Starry Joshua M. Okemebeose, has sued the institution in court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

The applicant is taking the varsity and its management staff to court. The motion on notice is referenced FHC/ABJ/CS/628/2025 and dated May 26, 2025. The case concerns human rights violations.

The violation contradicts Order 1 Rule 2 of the fundamental human rights (enforcement procedure) rule, 2009. It also goes against Section 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Moreover, it breaches the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act CSP A9. These are laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004. The defendants include the Inspector General of Police. They also include the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Force CID), Police Service Commission, and National University Commission.

The applicant, Mr. Starry Okemebeose, wants his human dignity restored. He is also seeking the restoration of his personal liberty. These were infringed upon by Gregory University staff last year.

Mr. Okemebeose was reported to have been heavily beaten. He was wounded, tied, and locked up for days by the university’s security personnel. They mistook him for a thief. This incident occurred at night while he was returning to his hostel. He had collected a personal handset that he had given for repairs.

According to the applicant’s mother, Mrs. Roscess Okemebeose, the incident occurred on December 12, 2024, when five security personnel attached to the University manhandled her son.

“The technician invited my son to pick up his handset at the shop within the hostel area. This was supposed to happen at around 9:30 – 10 pm. When he arrived there, the shop was closed, and he became frustrated, thereby prompting him to fling his power bank.

“On realizing he would need it to light up his way back, he started searching and finally got it on a roof, and began going to his hostel when the security personnel accosted and quizzed him.

“Okemebeose, when interrogated by security personnel, explained his predicament. However, his words fell on deaf ears. He was thoroughly beaten, then tied and locked up until 8 pm the following day without food or water.

“I contacted the Chief Security Officer of the school when the information got to me. He acknowledged the incident, but he could not offer any help. When I also contacted the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Uwaoma Uche on the phone, he was furious and threatened to send my son away from school.”

Again, Mrs. Okemebeose said, when the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cele Njoku, called her on December 19, 2024, she told her about the incident. The VC feigned ignorance but promised to quiz the personnel involved.

She further mentioned that the institution frustrated the investigation. As a result, she petitioned the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Abuja, on December 6, 2024, to oversee the matter. She later approached Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Dankwara, for a fair and thorough investigation.

The applicant deposed an affidavit in support of his motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja. He prayed the court to grant him adequate compensation. He also requested a public apology by the defendants.

Counsel to the applicant, who is also a human rights lawyer, Barrister Jacob B. Udobang, said the matter has been fixed for hearing in the Federal High Court, 10, Abuja, on June 9, 2025.

He said, hearing notice dated May 23, 2025, has been issued and served on all the respondents.

Ms Ekemini Udo, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, was contacted. She said there was no such incident in the university. She added that the current news within the varsity is the induction of new medical students. This event is coming up on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.