There was violent reactions from students and staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, yesterday, as an Osun State High Court, sitting in Ede remanded the former Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Anthony Elujoba.
The presiding judge, justice David Oladimeji had earlier ordered Elujoba to be remanded in Ilesa prison, pending a ruling on his bail application. Oladimeji adjourned the hearing on Elujoba’s bail application till July 19, after listening to the two-sided argument on the merit of the application.
Elujoba is standing trial for alleged financial impropriety.
Violent protest, however, followed the position of the court immediately, with students and staff from the university descending on perceived Elujoba’s enemies in the court premises. They barricaded all entries to the court premises, an action that charged the atmosphere around the court.
The protesters claimed in their remarks that Elujoba was being persecuted by some cabal within the university community, saying he was innocent of all the charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.
They expressed readiness to stand with the former Vice Chancellor to the end, with a promise to fight any attempt aimed at tarnishing Elujoba’s image. The resilience of the protesting students and staff eventually paid off as the court was forced to reverse itself and adjusted its ruling.
Justuce Oladimeji adjusted Elujoba’s bail application, by setting the delivery date to Friday, July 15 and ordered him to be remanded at EFCC custody, instead of prison as earlier ruled. The development doused tension within the court premises, as all barricades were opened and the protest stopped.
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