Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has knocked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the raid on some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, saying the anti-graft agency must always adhere to due process and rule of law.
The EFCC had, in the dead of the night, raided sixty-nine undergraduate students of the foremost institution, labelling them internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) after seizing their mobile phones and laptops.
Parading the students on Wednesday at its zonal office in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, the EFCC had claimed that the students were raided at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile Ife following “actionable intelligence” on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
But in a tweet, Mr Adeleke lamented how the anti-graft agency would be carrying out its job without adhering to due process and rule of law.
However, he noted that the anti-graft agency had initiated the process of releasing the arrested student whose hostels were raided in the early hours of today.
The governor added that he has instructed the state’s Attorney General and the school students union and authorities to ensure the protection of the rights of students on campus.
“I have just received a briefing indicating that @officialEFCC has initiated the process of releasing the students from @OAUniversity who were arrested during the morning raid. I have strongly emphasized that strict adherence to due process and the rule of law must be maintained.
“I have instructed the state’s Attorney General to work with the school administration, leadership of the Student Union, and the @officialEFCC to safeguard the rights of the students and ensure that due process is meticulously adhered to. I will continue to keep close watch,” he said in his tweet.
Netizens condemned the raid on the students by the EFCC by calling out the anti-graft agency on social media and drawing the attention of the people to the illegality.
