Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has rusticated 37 students for one academic session over their alleged involvement in a WhatsApp group created to organize a protest against the university’s decision to introduce a third semester.
According to official documents obtained on Monday, the students were accused of “criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, and cyber-stalking.”
The university’s Senate approved their rustication during its 123rd Regular Meeting on October 31, 2024, based on recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.
The affected students have been instructed to stay away from the university premises unless authorized in writing.
They will be allowed to resume in the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic session but must do so with a parent or guardian and a letter of undertaking promising good behavior.
A letter signed by the Registrar, Dr Bala Ahmed, and copied to key university officials, stated: “You would recall a case of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, and cyber-stalking via a WhatsApp group created with the aim of organizing a protest against the university.
“Senate, at its 123rd Regular meeting, considered and approved the recommendation of the committee that you should be rusticated from the university for one academic session.”
Meanwhile, an internal memo signed by Dogo Bitrus Moni, Secretary of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee, indicated that the affected students were given an opportunity to defend themselves before disciplinary action was taken.
The committee met on January 23, 2025, to deliberate on their involvement in the crisis that followed the Students’ Union Government, SUG, election on September 5, 2024.
