UNIBEN suspends SUG over assault on LP guber candidate Olumide Akpata

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has suspended its student union government (SUG).

Ademola Bobola, the university’s registrar, confirmed this in a statement.

The institution said the suspension is in connection with an attack on Olumide Akpata, the Edo state Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, by students believed to be SUG members.

On April 12, Akpata was a guest at an interactive session organised by the UNIBEN Staff Club.

However, the event was violently interrupted by persons purported to be members of the SUG.

In a statement, Akpata had said Presley Osemwegie, a lecturer, had his life “nearly taken by a brutal axe blow to the back of his head”.

The UNIBEN management, following a probe, said the SUG has been indefinitely suspended with effect from April 29.

“The university management has received the report of the panel constituted to investigate the incidents that occurred in the Faculty of Law and the University’s Senior Staff Club on Friday, April 12, 2024,” Bobola said.

“In the interim, a caretaker committee composed of representatives of faculties, schools, and institutes has been approved to coordinate student activities during the period of suspension.

“The above directive of the vice-chancellor is hereby communicated for the attention of the university community and compliance of the erstwhile union officers as appropriate.”