Court Orders Ekiti Varsity To Reinstate Expelled Student
Four years after he was expelled from the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU) over alleged case of rape, an Ekiti State High Court has ordered the reinstate of a one time student of the institution, Adedotun Babalola back to the school.
Babalola, who joined EKSU, the Vice Chancellor, the Senate, the Registrar and the Council as respondents in the suit was also awarded N10 million damages against the university.
The case, which borders on the breach of fundamental human rights was filed by the plaintiff, who told the court that he was expelled from the university without being found guilty of the alleged crime by any court or tribunal.
In his judgment, Justice John Adeyeye, who granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, held that Babalola’s expulsion by EKSU management constituted a breach of fundamental human rights to fair hearing.
Justice Adeyeye held that EKSU was wrong to have terminated the studentship of the plaintiff without trial, ordering the university to allow him to continue his studies without further delay and write to him, a letter of unreserved apology to be published in three national newspapers.
Babalola, alongside one Omoteye Olalekan were earlier arraigned before another court presided over by Justice Ayodeji Daramola on March 6, 2013 for an alleged offence of having unlawful carnal knowledge of one Bosede Olabanji.
But Justice Daramola struck out the case “in the interest of justice” because of its shoddy handling by the prosecution and the non-interest of the victim of the alleged offence of rape in the case.
The plaintiff filed a suit for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights following the refusal of the university to reabsorb him after the case of rape against him was struck out.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Magnus Ejelonu, hailed the court for redressing the wrong done to Babalola.
