UNIBEN SUG President, 4 Others Suspended over alleged gross misconduct

Five members of the University of Benin Students’ Union Government have been suspended from office indefinitely over alleged “gross misconduct” and “negligence”.

Uniben SUG logo

VAM News received Their suspension notice on Saturday, April 20 at the first sitting of the Parliamentary arm since their inauguration in August, 2018.

Those suspended include the President: Idehen Charles, 

Vice President: Chikamso Glory; 

Secretary General: Francis Ihejirika,

Director of Welfare: Ikponmwen Godspowerand Director of Finance: Iyobosa Oviawe. 

According to our correspondent who gathered a reports from the sitting, the President was suspended for allegedly signing an “agreement” with the school authority to impose a N3,000 levy on the students, while the Vice President was suspended for allegedly sourcing funds amounting to over a million naira in the name of the union ‘without the consent or approval of the Parliament.’

The Director of Welfare was suspended for “neglecting his duties” by allowing grasses to take over the school environment, and not attending to light issues on campus. The Director of Finance on the other hand, was suspended for charging students N1,000 to participate in his “Free Scholarship Programme”, while the Secretary General was suspended for leaving the Students’ Union Secretariat dirty.

The suspended members of executive are to return all union properties in their possession and vacate their offices until the committee set up to investigate their alleged crimes conclude their investigation.

Warlock broke out immediately following the suspension of the five student leaders as the external forces at the scene, who were against the action and decision, moved to attack parliamentarians.

Our correspondent reports that the Speaker had to quickly call for a motion for adjournment of plenary.

Immediately, members of the parliament scampared for safety as troubles loomed due to the fact that the actions taken were against the wishes of some individuals, including some parliamentarians.

People were seen running in all directions to protect themselves while the parliamentarian who raised the motion, Oghogho had to be whisked away for his own safety.

REACTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS 

Reacting to the development, a member of parliament who did not want his name mentioned, argued that the suspension of the student leaders was unconstitutional and a gross violation of their rights as enshrined in section 36(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which the Students’ Union constitution is subject to by virtue of section 3(1) of the SUG constitution.

Section 36(1) of the 1999 constitution provides that, “In the determination of his/her rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time...”. “But this cannot be said of the issue in contest as the executive members were suspended without giving them an opportunity to respond to the allegations and charges preferred against them,” he opined.

Speaking further, the parliamentarian added that “the Parliament before suspending them ought to have heard their own part of the story. Allegation no matter how grave can never ground conviction – this is the position of the law”.

“What transpired at the inaugural plenary was ‘witch-hunting’ as no member of the executive was given room to speak even though they were raising their hands as a sign of indication”.

Another member of parliament, who took to the parliament’s official WhatsApp group page, wrote; “For me, I don't  think Sec Gen deserves to be suspended simply because the SUG secretariat was dirty, besides no money has been allocated to him yet to pay the cleaners but we were so fast to act without asking him questions. Also, the Sec Gen isn't among those who went for the N3,000 meeting with the DVC.

“Are you guys even aware that he (Sec Gen) has been using his personal money to pay the cleaners since after the University terminated their contract with the cleaners?. He couldn't continue paying them because he wasn't allocated any money yet but we all just attacked him without questioning... 

“For me I think I’m disappointed in this House (parliament) for failing to ask him questions before passing judgment. Well, the deed is done already, the committee should carry out their own investigations.”

Efforts to obtain comments from the suspended executive members proved abortive. Though the Secretary General (suspended) promised to get back to our correspondent, he was, however, yet to do so as at press time.