A graduate student, Martins Eyam, has reportedly been imprisoned for over a week by the University of Cross River State management, led by Acting Vice Chancellor Mrs. Francisca Bassey, for speaking out against the school’s “No School Fees, No Exams” policy.
The Citizens’ Solution Network has condemned the action, calling it a gross violation of Eyam’s fundamental human right to free speech.
In a statement on Wednesday by the organisation’s Country Director, Richard Inoyo, titled “University of Cross River State and Its Vice Chancellor Should End The Abuse of Power and Release Student Martins Eyam From The Calabar Prison”, described the Vice Chancellor’s action as “arbitrary abysmal.
“What the Vice Chancellor Mrs. Francisca Bassey has done is arbitrary abysmal,” Inoyo said.
“No government appoints any acting Vice Chancellor to operate with impunity or even use the state’s security outfit to target dissent and jail them when their primary role is to confront criminal elements and protect innocent persons who have committed no crime.”
The group argued that the Vice Chancellor’s actions are a clear example of abuse of power.
“Let it be said that neither the acting Vice Chancellor who is openly violating the right of graduate student Martins Eyam by using public security and imprisonment institutions nor even a devil of any means would stand their son or daughter or ward being abducted and locked up in Calabar Prison for simply exercising their right to expression which is constitutionally guaranteed,” Inoyo emphasised.
The network appealed to the Cross River State Governor and Attorney General to intervene and ensure Eyam’s immediate release, adding that the Vice Chancellor’s actions are unconstitutional and undermine the fundamental rights of students.
The group cites Section 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference,” Inoyo quoted. This right, the organisation argues, has been grossly violated in Eyam’s case.
The Citizens’ Solution Network demands that the University prioritises intellectual diversity and policy alternative pathways. “Human rights violation especially as regards free speech is a gross indictment against any citadel of learning where freedom of expression ought to be glorified and dissident voices allowed to stress and reemphasize the vital significance of intellectual diversity and policy alternative pathways,” Inoyo stated.
The organisation warns that if this atrocity is not addressed, it may set a dangerous precedent for future human rights violations in the institution.
“Today, graduate student Martins Eyam is the victim, none of us can tell if tomorrow a mini tyrant might overstep her bound to imprison one of our own children who did no wrong,” Inoyo cautioned.
The Citizens’ Solution Network demands that the acting Vice Chancellor be relieved of her appointment forthwith, given this grave transgression.
“Free graduate student Martins Eyam now,” Inoyo urged. The organisation believes that the Vice Chancellor’s actions are unacceptable and that she should be held accountable for her actions.
The group is calling on all stakeholders to condemn this egregious violation of human rights and to demand Eyam’s immediate release.
The Citizens’ Solution Network believes that the University should be a place of learning and intellectual freedom, not a place of oppression and human rights abuse.
The organisation said it is committed to fighting for the rights of students and ensuring that justice is served.
“We condemn the unacceptable abduction and gross violation of the right of graduate student Martins Eyam in the strongest terms,” Inoyo said, reiterating the organisation’s demand for Eyam’s unconditional release.
