by Chi Ibe

Drug tests conducted on 42 Redeemer University students last year returned with 28 positive results leading to the expulsion of 28 students who allegedly failed the tests. The decision of the university has however sparked controversy, new reports show.

According to news reports, when the students resumed this year, some of them received information that they “tested positive” and soon afterwards, last Friday, they got expulsion letters; others got theirs on Monday February 4.

Immediately the affected students protested on the expulsion complaining that they were not given a fair hearing.

Despite their reaction, the institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Adetunji Adeleye, said the decision was taken in line with the school’s values and philosophy “to raise godly children”.

“A student was caught with an illicit drug. He mentioned others involved and we took them to the school clinic for tests. Some of them tested positive,” Adeleye said.

Reports also claim the students were not legally informed before the tests were taken which some felt infringed on their rights. Some others also alleged that they never saw the actual results from the test to prove they tested positive and didn’t even know what drugs they were tested for.

one of the expelled students, who preferred anonymity told reporters: “I only saw in the expulsion letter that I tested positive to hard drugs. I asked for the result of the test, but they didn’t show me. Even if they won’t show it to me, they should at least show my parents the result.”

“They should have at least set up a panel of enquiry and if the panel finds us guilty, so be it,” another student said.

Adeleye confirmed the allegations but defended it saying: “There is no need to show the students the results because the university cannot conspire against them.”

“Nobody should think anybody hates those students. It’s not spurious. In fact, it is even painful for us because we are losing revenue by sending them away. But it’s a painful decision we must take in our quest to raise students that will transform the world. The expelled students are those that refused the university’s lifeline of a second chance.

“We wanted to help them. The university has a programme designed to help them live a normal life, but they rejected the offer. A few of them accepted and they are undergoing the programme.”

Adeleye was asked why then had he not reported the case to the authorities if students tested positive for hard drugs but he replied saying the school was not going to play the role of the police nor the narcotics agency to arrest students and the situation was now handled by the Vice-Chancellor who was considering a review.