The six students and a lecturer of Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, who have been in prison for five months for a post on Facebook were on Wednesday granted bail by the Federal High Court sitting in Awka.

The presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri while granting them bail gave their lawyers two months from Tuesday to perfect their bail conditions as the courts would be on vacation from next week.

The prosecution officer, Mr. J.N Oboh did not raise objection when one of the defense counsel, Mr. C. O. Igwe applied for the students to be granted bail but he rather said: “Let them be allowed to go home, but they should sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour.”

Speaking with journalists, spokesman of the parents of the students, Mr. Christopher Onyejekwe hailed all the parties that contributed in various ways to ensure the release of their wards.

He however lamented the inhuman treatment their children went through because “they chose to study at Madonna University' adding that it was improper for the management of the institution to involve the police in an issue that could have been resolved within the university.”

Onyejekwe said: “The careers of our children were almost ruined. I thank God that the judge finally granted them bail. But I am not really happy about the intimidation of our children by the management of Madonna University.

“That institution is a Catholic university and those who run it should behave as Catholics. That university is smearing the image of the Catholic Church and this should not be allowed.

“We are grateful to the State Governor Willie Obiano, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, who intervened in the matter and National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, for its solidarity.

“If the management of Madonna University does not change, we will ensure that our children are withdrawn from the institution at the end of the current academic session.”

Onyejekwe noted that many parents out of fear for the safety of their children had expressed readiness to withdraw them from the institution.

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