The National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) has said it would invade the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons if a Special Offences Mobile Court in Lagos does not release 13 UNILAG students currently being detained.
NANS President, Chinonso Obasi on Monday said the organisation will relocate its headquarters to the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons.
He said, “After a painstaking review of the circumstances surrounding the draconian ruling, we have resolved to demand and hereby demand the unconditional release of these students within 24 hours.
“Consequently, we make bold to state that if at the expiration of our 24 hours ultimatum, these innocent students are not released without strings, we shall relocate the Headquarters of NANSto Kirikiri in solidarity with our members.
“We also hope that the authorities would use the opportunity of the 24 hours ultimatum to either expand the facilities of Kirikiri prison or release our colleagues, as they can see we are serious and determined by offering them a fair choice.”
He added “Being first-time offenders, the Magistrate, if ever he was once a University student, would have handed down a stern warning and demand of good behaviour instead of sending them to prison for whatever reasons.
“In saner climes what the Magistrate should have done was to certify that the suspects are bonafide students and release them to their school authorities or student leaders. But rather than factor in the extenuating circumstances of their protest, the Magistrate apparently in a hurry to please some hidden forces, decided to blunt the proper socialisation of 13 Nigerian leaders of tomorrow.”
Recall that 13 astudents of the University of Lagos were alleged to have engaged in an unlawful invasion of Television Continental in Lagos.
They had pleaded not guilty to a two-count of unlawful invasion and disruption of activities.
They were later remanded in kirikiri Prisons by a Mobile Court on Saturday, pending the application of their bail.
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