Hundreds of students in Ondo State took to the streets of Akure on Wednesday, engaging in a powerful protest to demand the immediate release of their colleagues who have been imprisoned under controversial circumstances. The protest erupted following the decision by a magistrate court to remand several students, including James Akeju, the President of the Akoko Youth Forum and former Student Union President of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, after an alleged altercation with the state’s Attorney General, Mr. Kayode Ajulo.
The students blocked major roads leading to both the State and Federal Secretariats, bringing traffic to a halt for several hours. With chants of solidarity ringing through the air, the protesters made it clear they would not leave until their colleagues were freed. Some carried cooking utensils, symbolizing their determination to stay put until justice was served.
Despite pleas from the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, to disperse, the students remained resolute. Adegboyega Afe, the Coordinator of the Ondo State Youth Network, strongly condemned the charges against the detained students, including cyberbullying and threats to life. He argued that the charges were baseless and claimed that the students had not been informed about the accusations before their court appearance. “The entire process was unlawful,” Afe insisted, emphasizing the students’ right to fair treatment.
Oladimeji Adewunmi, National Social Director of the Akoko Youth Forum, also voiced his outrage, urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene. “Our only offense was visiting a public office to invite them to an event,” Adewunmi said. “We demand the immediate release of Akeju and the other detained youths. We will not back down until justice is served.”
In response, Yomisaint Adebayo, the Technical Adviser to the Attorney General, stated that the detained students had been arraigned after a police investigation revealed a series of alleged offenses, including assault, conspiracy, and cybercrime. He reassured the public that the matter would be swiftly resolved but emphasized the need for calm.
As the protest continued, the students of Ondo made one thing clear: they are prepared to fight for the release of their peers, demanding transparency, justice, and an end to what they view as unlawful detention.
