A Nigeria lawyer and human rights activist, Yakubu Eleto, has called on the federal government, especially, the Federal Ministry of Education, to prevail on the management of Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos, to reinstate Master Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon, a SS 3 student, who was allegedly suspended without any offence or crime.
Barrister Eleto equally called on the nation’s president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to call on Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman (SAN) to equally prevail on the principal of the School, Mr. Kehinde Tokunbo Famuyibo, to immediately reinstate the unlawfully suspended pupil, Master Muhammed Ayomide Elushogbon.
Eleto in a statement issued by his Deputy Head of Chambers, Olalekan Ogunbunmi, captioned “Re: unlawful suspension of Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon (15 years, SS 3 Student) from the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State, Nigeria, on the authority of the Minister of Education; Professor Tahir Mamman, without just cause or any nexus in respect of any offences known to law”, said if the suspended student is not reinstated, he would have no other choice than taking any legal action to remedy the wrong.
The statement reads in part: “this press release has become crucial in view of the unlawful suspension of Master Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon, who is in his final year (SSS 3) from Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State and the said Master Muhammed Ayomide Elushogbon, never committed any offence known to law to warrant his unlawful suspension and had not acted contrary to the rules and regulations of the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos likewise the extant laws establishing the School.
“Sequel to this, the irrational action of the Management of the Federal College Ijanikin, Lagos, encourage our noble firm (Yakubu Eleto Chambers) to express our deep concern about this unlawful suspension. This action not only violates the principles of fair and just disciplinary procedures but also infringes upon the rights of the student to pursue education without undue interference.
“Irrespective of the law in force, the action of the Federal Ministry of Education run contrary to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, United Nation Convention on the Right of the Child and the African Charter on the Right and Welfare of the Child.
“The circumstances surrounding the suspension of Master Muhammed, raise serious questions whether the due process was followed by the Management Team, and we urge a thorough investigation into the allegations leading to the suspension of the innocent student who is presently in his final year without any reasonable just cause or acting contrary to any enabling law.
“Education is a right and every student deserve to be treated right, just and fair without discrimination.
“The arbitrary suspension of Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon from Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State is not only a breach of his educational rights but also a violation of principle of natural justice, equity and god conscience because the said student was suspended from the college without any previous criminal record.
“Our law firm is committed to give total support to Master Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon ‘Probono Publico’, who is the victim of the unjust suspensions and will use every legal means to seek redress and reinstatement of Master Muhammed Elushogbon, as if he wasn’t suspended at all.
“We know that Professor Tahir Mamman (SAN), the Minister of Education, might not be aware of the illegal suspension of Master Muhammed by the Principal of Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos (FGCL), we call and urge him to use all the means available at his disposal to order immediate reinstatement of Master Muhammed Elushogbon and not allow him suffer from the sin of his parent or anybody (if any).
“Educational institutions must adhere strictly to established legal procedures, and any disciplinary actions taken against student should be based on credible evidence and due process but the college in this scenario acted spontaneously due to the conduct of the student mother reporting the misappropriation of fund in the school to EFCC, the report by the mother, caused the suspension of the said student from the college.
“As an advocate for justice and fairness, our law firm stands in solidarity with Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon, a final year student of Federal College Ijanikin. We believe in upholding the principles of equity and good conscience within educational institutions, fostering an environment where student can learn and grow without fear of arbitrary disciplinary actions.
“We strongly advise the management of the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos to reinstate the studentship of Master Muhammed Ayomide Elusogbon in the next 48 hours and allow him register for West African Examination Council (WAEC) and all other relevant examination which forms basic requirement for graduation from High School.
“We are therefore by this press release calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU, to prevail on Professor Tahir Mamman SAN to equally prevail on the Principal of the School, Mr. Kehinde Tokunbo Famuyibo, to immediately reinstate Master Muhammed Ayomide Elushogbon as if he wasn’t suspended or else we are ready to take any legal action to remedy the wrong.”
Well said.
The boy has done nothing.
Justice must be served.