The Akwa Ibom State University has expelled a student, Iniobong Ekpo, for publishing a “derogatory and defamatory article” on Facebook in 2019 against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.
Ekpo was in his final year at the Department of Agricultural Engineering when he was expelled for “insulting” the Governor.
He was first suspended indefinitely after appearing before a disciplinary committee before his expulsion two months ago.
In the article, Ekpo had accused Emmanuel of reneging on a promise he allegedly made in 2017 to give financial reward to the then graduating students of the University.
He wrote, “It’s 2 years and 166 days since he promised, yet none of the graduands received a naira even the first class graduands were unattended to when they went to his office,” adding that Emmanuel may have “scammed” the students.
Reacting, the University authorities said Ekpo’s article was a “breach” of the matriculation oath and a violation of the University rules and regulations.
However, the expelled student has given the university authorities one week to restore his studentship or face legal actions.
Ekpo, in a letter written to the university by his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said the university authorities did not give him fair hearing.
The letter read, “We will like to know whether the Matriculation Oath Of the Akwa Ibom State University requires students to surrender their fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed them by Section 39 of the Constitution Of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) upon admission into the University?”
Ekpo says he has no regret about his actions. He vowed to pursue the case in court no matter how long it would take.
