Ede poly expels 27 students, suspends eight over EFCC raid protest

The management of the Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, has announced the expulsion of 27 students following their alleged role in a protest that occurred on the campus during which properties were vandalised.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that some students of the polytechnic, displeased with the arrest of some of their colleagues, living in Owode, a community near Ede by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during a night raid, had stormed the campus of the institution and staged a violent protest on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

During the protest, the Staff Club of the polytechnic was attacked, and several vehicles were damaged by the protesters.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Sola Lawal, when contacted after the protest for reaction, said the management would investigate and unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident.

Unveiling the outcome of the probe in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, Lawal said apart from 27 students who were expelled, two ex-students union leaders were barred from entering the polytechnic campus, while eight students were suspended for two academic sessions.

The statement by Lawal read, “Gentlemen of the press, you would recall that the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede Osun State constituted an investigation committee to unravel the miseries surrounding the Student’s crisis/rampage of Thursday, May 9th, 2024 leading to the stoning of people at the senior staff club.

“The unprovoked attitude led to the vandalisation of individual and institution’s properties.  This unwarranted action negates the motto of the great citadel which is “knowledge, skill and character, which the institution is known for.

“After a painstaking and thorough investigation, the following decisions were arrived at:

“Expelled students -27,  (HND 1 & 2), suspended students for two (2) academic sessions -eight (8),  (HND 2). Two (2) former student union leaders were banned from entering the campus with immediate effect.”