The University of Benin has placed four students on suspension for one academic year.

The students were accused of forcing a lecturer to apologise to the Student Union President and were subsequently penalised for their actions.

The incident reportedly took place at the Faculty of Law on April 12, 2024.

A rustication letter seen by SaharaReporters, dated July 1, 2024, was issued to one of the students in the Department of Nursing Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, confirming the punishment.

Although the names of affected students could not be ascertained, the university management has taken a strong stance against such behaviours by students.

The letter signed by (Mrs.) C.I. Ehiglator, DR Senate Matters, for the Registrar is titled: "Report of the Students Disciplinary Committee (SOC) on the incidents that occurred at the Faculty of Law and Senior Staff Club on Friday 12 April, 2024 rustication from the University.”

The letter partly read: "Senate at its Meeting held on Monday 1st July, 2024 received and considered the report under reference.

‘The Committee reported among others that: ‘you were rude and disrespectful to a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law in the morning of Friday 12th April, 2024, by insisting that he should apologise to the Student Union President without finding out what transpired to cause the commotion; and your insistence on the apology aggravated the crisis.

"Senate, after due consideration of the recommendations of the Committee, approves that you be rusticated for one academic session.

"Accordingly, I write to inform you that effective immediately, you have been rusticated for one (1) academic session."

Regarding the conditions for resumption after the expiration of the rustication, the university authority stated that "upon your resumption in the university, you are required to:

"(a.) submit a sworn affidavit of undertaking to be of good behaviour supported by a letter from your parents/guardian/sponsor; and (b.) obtain a formal letter of clearance from the Registrar, which you are expected to apply for at least three months before the expiration of the rustication period."

The university insisted that failure to comply with the requirements as stated "will militate against your reinstatement into the university."

The university management on April 29, 2024 indefinitely suspended the Student Union Government over an attack on the Labour Party governorship candidate for the forthcoming Edo State election, Olumide Akpata.

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