AFRICA, Nigeria, Protest - Elechi Closes Down Ebonyi Varsity

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State Friday announced the immediate and indefinite closure of the state university, following violent demonstration by the students of the institution for alleged increase of school fees.

Also, two of the students arrested by the state Police Command were arraigned before an Abakaliki Magistrate's Court.

The two students, Malachy Nnaji, and Obasi John Kelechi, were charged with rioting and destruction of private and public property.

The charge No. MAB/141/C/2013 reads: "That you Malachy Nnaji 'm', Obasi John Kelechi 'm' and others now at large on the 25th of February 2013 at Ishieke, Abakaliki in the Abakaliki Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: riot and hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516A (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria2009."

The two suspects pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the Chief Magistrate, Mr. lazarus Nwoka, with the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum.

THISDAY checks revealed that over 80 students of the university were reported to have been arrested by the police when the protest became violent with students resorting to destruction of school and public property.

It was gathered that following the intervention by the Dean of Students Affairs of the school, Dr. Hilary Eze, some of the students were released, while the remaining two were charged to court apparently to forestall a repeat of such violent protest in future.

The governor, while addressing relevant stakeholders on recent events in the state, ordered the school's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francis Idike, to immediately close the school.