OAU Alumni Condemn Lynching of Student Over Alleged Theft

Cursory: An alumni class of Obafemi Awolowo University has come out to condemn the lynching of a young man. The young man who until his death was a student of the institution, was beaten to death by his fellow students over alleged theft. The alumni expressed dissatisfaction over the incident, stating that it is unbecoming of the scholars produced by the institution.

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Hall of Residence mob action that recently took place and resulted in the grisly death of Ahize Okoli, an institution’s fifth-year engineering student, has been denounced by the University of Ife Law Class of 1987 Association.

The association in a statement, yesterday, signed by its President, Caleb Arogundade, described the action as “despicable, lawless disheartening…”

Recall that fellow students of the university, last Monday, lynched Okoli over alleged theft.The association stressed that it was worrisome that students of the institution could dispense jungle justice to a fellow student.

“It is worrisome that students of our prestigious university, which we proudly call “Great Ife” could resort to barbaric behaviour in dispensing jungle justice to a fellow student, who was accused of theft.

We are well aware that the university authorities have taken the right steps to identify those behind the dastardly act, ensure justice is duly served and put in place a mechanism to eradicate all forms of self-help within the institution.

“The leadership of the university has an overarching duty to protect the lives of its staff and students, particularly when they are within the precincts of the institution. The current scandal is palpable proof that the authorities of the university were not proactive in tackling the menace of gangsterism, which has now taken the life of a precious student.

“We are deeply concerned that the Great Ife, from which we graduated over 35 years ago, is being portrayed as the dark chamber of torture and jungle justice. The leadership of the university must decisively do the needful to stamp out this despicable behaviour among the students.

“Parents and guardians must be assured of the safety and physical well-being of their wards for as long as they remain within the school campus,” the statement noted.

The association expressed its willingness to work with the university’s administration in any way that could help the university maintain its position as one of the best in the world while also praying for the deceased’s soul to rest in peace.

Source: The guardian

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