The Taraba State University has
expelled a first-year student after he repeatedly criticised the state
governor, Darius Ishaku, on Facebook.
The school said it took the
decision because the student had failed to “complete the registration
processes” that include signing the matriculation oath form.
Joseph Israel, who was admitted
to study Chemistry but later switched to Laboratory Science in the state-owned
school, had his admission withdrawn in September.
A September 20, 2019 letter by
the deputy registrar for academic affairs, Yakubu Fwa, accused the student of
failing to attend the students’ matriculation ceremony and not completing the
matriculation form.
“Further take notice that the
withdrawal of the said admission is hinged on your inability to complete the
registration processes of Taraba State University, Jalingo, as approved by the
relevant university regulation and which makes (you) a ghost student,” the
letter said.
But Mr Israel disclosed that the
reason given by the institution was false, and was merely used as an excuse to
deal with the student who has been a known online critic of the governor.
He denied boycotting the
matriculation and said he signed the oath declaration form.
“The mistake I did was not
snapping a picture on the day. I am not a picture person. But I have over 20
persons who can testify that I was there with them on that day. I also signed
the form given to us,” he said.
The withdrawal letter by the
registrar did not cite the specific university regulation that punishes failure
to attend matriculation with dismissal.
The director of information of
the university, Sanusi Saad, told PREMIUM TIMES by phone that he was aware of
the case, but had no authority and adequate information to comment.
He said the university’s
vice-chancellor was not available for clarifications.
Documents seen by this newspaper
showed that the university’s management had summoned Mr Israel before a
malpractice committee which deals with issues of indiscipline and academic
wrongdoings.
The student appeared before the
committee on July 15, 2019 as instructed.
Mr Israel said when the committee
confronted him over his criticism of the governor, he asked the committee if
there was any law in the university stopping students from using social media
and expressing their views on governance in the state.
He said the committee, which
provided no answer, asked him to go until the investigation was concluded.
“By this act of cruelty, it is
very sad to assume that Taraba State is now confronted with the highest rate of
hypocrisy and conspiracy among public office holders and members of academic
environment who have reduced the educational sector to ridicule,” said Jen
Jibrin, a Jalingo-based activist.
Mr Israel has used his Facebook
page to deliver blistering criticisms of Mr Ishaku’s leadership.
On April 26, he posted: “If Gov
Darius sells seven cars in his convoy alone, he will solve the problems of
Taraba State University”.
“Governor Darius is a tested and
trusted failure, the 100 days of any government shows the direction of that
government, the Darius administration has no direction, his government is the
worst in the 28 years of existence of Taraba State,” he wrote. “I call on all
those whose hopes are high to keep their hopes down till 2023 maybe we’ll have
a proactive and a serious governor.”
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