The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has reversed its decision to expel 27 students who were penalised following violent protests on the campus.

The council has instead reduced the punishment to a suspension for one academic session.

It was previously reported that the polytechnic management had imposed various sanctions on students involved in the violent protest on May 9, during which property was damaged.

The council has also granted clemency to four students who had been suspended, replacing their punishment with a warning to refrain from future violent protests.

Additionally, the Council has lifted the ban previously imposed on student unionism at the institution and has directed the school management to appoint faculty representatives to oversee union affairs until the end of the current semester.

Speaking to journalists on the campus on Friday, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Taiwo Olaiya, explained that the new decisions regarding the affected students followed the ratification of recommendations from a committee that investigated the expulsion and suspension issues.

Olaiya also announced that all students would be required to pay N10,000 each as damages to serve as a deterrent against future incidents and to repair the damaged property.

“The Council ratified the committee’s recommendations, resulting in the conversion of the 27 students’ expulsion to a suspension for the 2023/2024 academic session. Those previously suspended have been fully pardoned with a warning against future involvement in such acts.

“Moreover, the ban on student union activities has been lifted, and the Polytechnic management is tasked with appointing a body of faculty representatives to manage union affairs until the end of the semester.

“Finally, all students are required to pay N10,000 each as damages to deter future incidents and to assist in the repair of both private and public property vandalised during the protests,” Olaiya said. (The PUNCH)

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