OAU Workers, Student In Violent Protest As Court Remands Ex-VC, Prof. Elujoba In Prison

When the Elujoba appeared on Tuesday, hundreds of workers and students stormed the court premises with him.

The protesting students and workers insisted that Prof. Elujoba be freed, noting that a former VC of the OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole, be tried and remanded.

They also blocked all the entry and exit routes into the High Court, sitting in Ede where the bail application was heard.

Both the justices, lawyers and other court workers were held hostage by the protesters.

During the proceeding, the defence counsel, Ibrahim Lawal, argued that retaining Prof. Elujoba in detention would amount to an infringement on his freedom of movement.

After hearing from the two counsels, Justice David Oladimeji, explained that it would be difficult for him to deliver the judgement this week.

He also stated that vacation commences by end of the week, but the the defence cousel pleaded that a date should be fixed.

Justice Oladimeji said, “This case is hereby further adjourned by agreement of counsels till Wednesday, July 19, for ruling on bail application. The two defendants shall be remanded in the Ilesha Prison pending the delivery of the ruling.”

After the ruling, wife of Prof. Elujoba, was seen weeping and shouting that her husband “stole no fund.”

Mrs Elujoba who wept profusely lamented that her husband was unduly punished.

Also, the students and workers embarked in a violent protest, which resulted into the damage of a vehicle.

They also attacked a person, believed to be a spy for those that wrote petition against the former acting VC.

The protest intensified when security officials were mobilised to the venue of the protest.

When the protesters sighted the security men, they went berserk and chanted anti-oppression songs.

While some were armed with placards, others were seen with sticks and other mild weapons, including charms.

Earlier,  the staff and Students of OAU unanimously declared a shut down of the institution over the arraignment of their ex-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Elujoba.

They said the closure was in solidarity with Prof. Elujoba who was arraigned and kept in custody over alleged misappropriation of N1.4bn.

Elujoba on Friday appeared at the Federal High Court sitting in Ede, Osun State over his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

The former acting VC appeared in court today for hearing of his bail applications.
It would be recalled that Elujoba was summoned by the EFCC alongside the university’s bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, over the payment of the ‘unapproved’ hazard allowances to the institution’s protesting workers.