Justice Mobolaji Ojo of Ogun State High Court sitting in Otta has fixed
March 27, 2013 for Judgement in the suit filed by Vwamhi Longji Felix,
challenging his illegal expulsion by the Covenant University, for allegedly watching
pornography and secular music on his laptop.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecuting counsel Segun Fatoki, told the court that Felix was allegedly expelled without an opportunity of a proper hearing or viewing the evidence in accordance with standard practice as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
In his originating summon brought in pursuant to order 3 rules 5,6 and 8 of the Ogun State High Court civil procedure rules 2008,he asked the court to declare that invasion of the claimant room by the set of people claimed to be acting on behalf of the Dean, Student Affairs was a violation of Section 44 of Chapter 4 of the student Handbook of the Covenant University, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as ratified.
According to him, section 35 and 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the court or administrative panel or tribunal, public or private, the rights and obligations of a Nigerian Citizen ought to derogate from the Nigerian constitution.
He said in determining the fate of a student of the university by either the Dean Student affairs or the student’s disciplinary committee, the provision, as expressed or implied by the students handbook 2010/2014 ought not be strictly followed.
Felix, in his 24 paragraphs affidavit to support his claim, stated that before he was expelled his parents had spent not less than N10 million on his school fees and other expenses.
The school in its counter affidavit stated that in the school hand book it was stated that students are not allowed to be in possession of unholy films and home video or secular music tapes, either stored or directly in the computer or listen through the use of computer radio or any other electronic device when on campus during an academic session.
Also, the school claimed that it is an offence that will attract punishment of expulsion for any student who indulges himself or herself in public display of or be in possession of pornographic films or photographs, exploring or viewing pornographic websites on the internet.
The other respondents in the suit are the Vice Chancellor Covenant University, The Chancellor and Chairman, Executive Council, Covenant University.
Justice Ojo after listening to the parties, said they should allow every individual to grow the life that they need to live, if at age 15 to 17, if they don’t live that life, they would live it when they are 30 to 35 because of too much rules.
”Children as adolescents must live as adolescents and as a youth, people must grow and we must allow them.”
However the Judge adjourned Judgment till March 27, 2013
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecuting counsel Segun Fatoki, told the court that Felix was allegedly expelled without an opportunity of a proper hearing or viewing the evidence in accordance with standard practice as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
In his originating summon brought in pursuant to order 3 rules 5,6 and 8 of the Ogun State High Court civil procedure rules 2008,he asked the court to declare that invasion of the claimant room by the set of people claimed to be acting on behalf of the Dean, Student Affairs was a violation of Section 44 of Chapter 4 of the student Handbook of the Covenant University, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as ratified.
According to him, section 35 and 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the court or administrative panel or tribunal, public or private, the rights and obligations of a Nigerian Citizen ought to derogate from the Nigerian constitution.
He said in determining the fate of a student of the university by either the Dean Student affairs or the student’s disciplinary committee, the provision, as expressed or implied by the students handbook 2010/2014 ought not be strictly followed.
Felix, in his 24 paragraphs affidavit to support his claim, stated that before he was expelled his parents had spent not less than N10 million on his school fees and other expenses.
The school in its counter affidavit stated that in the school hand book it was stated that students are not allowed to be in possession of unholy films and home video or secular music tapes, either stored or directly in the computer or listen through the use of computer radio or any other electronic device when on campus during an academic session.
Also, the school claimed that it is an offence that will attract punishment of expulsion for any student who indulges himself or herself in public display of or be in possession of pornographic films or photographs, exploring or viewing pornographic websites on the internet.
The other respondents in the suit are the Vice Chancellor Covenant University, The Chancellor and Chairman, Executive Council, Covenant University.
Justice Ojo after listening to the parties, said they should allow every individual to grow the life that they need to live, if at age 15 to 17, if they don’t live that life, they would live it when they are 30 to 35 because of too much rules.
”Children as adolescents must live as adolescents and as a youth, people must grow and we must allow them.”
However the Judge adjourned Judgment till March 27, 2013
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Heheheheheheheheheh.....doubt he'd win the suit anyway, a provision in the students handbook invalidates the human rights claim as pertains 2 privacy of residence...complex legal stuff I cnt go into here, still kudus 2 u man!...lonewolf
ReplyDeleteI rili luv dat a student cud take d sch 2 court as dey neva wait 2 hear d defenders part.....esp wt d case of d lecturer dat impreg 2 students n abscorned.
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate of the school in question i think most of this rules are there to guid but it has been taken too far that's y the percentage of both male and female graduates now explore and go all wrong....we all know the rest pls revisit the so called rules and regulations. Now to our stupid Government that is allowing all this nonsence allowing private schools to ruing the lives of inocent students whith outrageous fees coz every parent wants the best I'm even tired if i countinue ill make a book
ReplyDeleteBy all moral standards watching porn is viewed wrong and we wud all agree but expelling isn't the answer to the situation. Covenant University is a school that is driven by the vision of raising leaders, in my own opinion, they ought to act as a correction facility to the such character defects not getting rid of them."If the LORD should count inquities, who will stand?" We are alive today by his grace and mercy! Let's show mercy and with grace make the corrections in the students.
ReplyDeleteAfta paying about 10m, money wey fit build house? Abeg return d parents money o make u hold ya school. Na war o, I fear dis kain school o. If u no work for oil company/better biz person,politician, pen or armed robber, where u wan get dat kain money for only one pikin?
ReplyDeleteWho even go report the student ! Some persons are sycophants ooo . After paying such amount Na waaaaa ooo . As for me I think expulsion isn't the best way another purnishment will do.(kamzy baby)
ReplyDeleteWill the VC of the sch expell his son from his house if the son is caught watching porn or playing secular music? Just asking....
ReplyDelete