ICYMI: Court frees Madonna students detained over Facebook post

Six students and a lecturer of the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, who have been in detention since February, regained freedom on Thursday.

They were granted bail by Babatunde Ouadri, a judge of the federal high court in Awka, Anambra. There have been protests across the country over their detention.

They were arrested and detained following a petition by the management of the university to the inspector-general of police. The school authorities had moved against them over comments bordering on poor welfare condition of students and staff of the institution which were posted on Facebook.

At the sitting, J. Ń Oboh, prosecution counsel, did not object the bail application made by C. O Igwe, the defence counsel.

He, however, insisted that they sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour.

“Let them be allowed to go home, but they should sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour,” Oboh said.

Thereafter, the judge gave the defendants two months from Wednesday to perfect their bail conditions.

Christopher Onyejekwe, a spokesman for parents of the detained students, praised the parties that ensured their release.

He said they had suffered “inhuman treatment because they chose to study at the Madonna university.”

He added that it was improper for the management of the university to involve the police in a matter that could have been resolved within the school.

“The careers of our children were almost ruined. I thank God that the judge finally granted them bail, ” he said.

“But I am not really happy about the intimidation of our children by the management of Madonna University.

“That institution is a Catholic University and those who run it should behave as Catholics. That university is smearing the image of the Catholic church and this should not be allowed.

“We are grateful to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state and the catholic bishop of Awka diocese, who intervened in the matter. We are also grateful to the National Association of Nigerian Students for its solidarity.

“If the management of Madonna university does not change, we will ensure that our children are withdrawn from the institution at the end of the current academic session.”