Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has rusticated 37 students for one academic session due to their alleged involvement in “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, and cyber-stalking.”
The students’ actions were related to their creation of a WhatsApp group intended to organise a protest against the university’s decision to commence the third semester. The students were subsequently summoned before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.
The University authorities confirmed that their rustication was approved by the Senate during its 123rd Regular Meeting on October 31, 2024. The committee’s recommendation for rustication was upheld, and the students were informed that they would remain rusticated for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The students were warned to stay away from university premises unless authorized in writing, and were instructed to return in the First Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Session, along with their parents or guardians, and a letter of undertaking promising to maintain good behavior throughout their studentship.
A letter signed by the Registrar, Dr. Bala I. Ahmed, and copied to various university officials, stated: “You would recall a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of Public Peace and Cyber-stalking via a WhatsApp group, created with the aim of organising a protest against the University over the commencement of Third Semester and your subsequent appearance before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.”
The letter further read, “Senate at its 123rd Regular Meeting held on Thursday, 31 October, 2024 considered and approved the recommendation of the Committee that you should be rusticated from the University for One Academic Session. You are hereby Rusticated from the 2024/2025 Academic Session.”
The letter also added, “During the period of rustication, you shall keep away from the University premises unless authorised in writing to come. You are to resume for full academic program in the First Semester of 2025/2026 Academic Session with your parent/guardian and a letter of undertaking promising to be of good behavior throughout your studentship in the University.”
An internal memo from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee, signed by Dogo Bitrus Moni, PAR/HR Secretary, invited the affected students to appear before the committee. The memo, which listed the names, matriculation numbers, departments, and faculties of the students, mentioned that the committee would meet on January 23, 2025, to address the incident that occurred on September 5, 2024, after the SUG election.
The memo stated: “In fairness to you, the Students’ Disciplinary Committee is inviting you to appear before it by 11:00am, prompt, Thursday, January 23rd, 2025.”
The list of affected students includes Osome Babangida (Public and International Law), David Bartholomew (Entrepreneurship Studies), Yunusa Yusulf (Public and International Law), Buhari Ari Ibrahim (Psychology), Ridwan Ahmed Barade (Urban and Regional Planning), AROKE Rasheedah Ometere (Computer Science), AYUBA Justice Ajegena (Public Administration), and others.
