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| Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey and Mr. Martins Eyam |
A graduate of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Mr. Martins Eyam, has spent over a week in detention following his arrest reportedly ordered by the institution’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey.
Mr. Eyam, a graduate of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, had already defended his final-year project and was awaiting the issuance of his certificate when he was invited by school authorities over a WhatsApp voice note in which he expressed support for a student protest. The protest was in reaction to the school’s “No Fees, No Exams” policy.
According to students who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Eyam was unaware that the university management had engaged ‘Operation Okwok’—a joint task force operated by the Cross River State Government—to arrest him.
“Unknown to him, the management had asked ‘Operation Okwok’ (a joint task force of the Cross River State Government) to arrest him and lock him up,” said one of Eyam’s friends, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions from school authorities.
In the voice note that led to his arrest, Eyam had encouraged fellow students to support those who could not afford their fees, especially after the university suspended seven students, including a graduate, following protests over fee verification challenges.
“He was picked with the Operation Okwok people asking him if he wants to be like Falana (Femi Falana, a legal luminary) and VDM (Vincent Martins, also known as Very Dark Man, a social critic) without money. He was scolded for standing up for others and whisked away. He did not struggle,” another source confirmed.
As of the time of this report, Eyam has been incarcerated for nine days, sparking condemnation from civil society organisations, legal professionals, and human rights activists.
In a statement issued to CrossRiverWatch, Richard Inoyo, Country Director of the Citizens Solutions Network, urged the Governor of Cross River State and the Attorney General to intervene and ensure Eyam’s release.
“Let it be on public registry that, we all as a society terribly fail when evil people overstep their bounds by misusing state resources in punishing innocent persons for speaking up against wrong policy actions. What the Vice Chancellor Mrs. Francisca Bassey has done is arbitrary abysmal.
“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 stated.
Prominent human rights lawyer, F. Baba Isa, also weighed in via his verified Facebook page, calling for Eyam’s immediate release.
According to Isa, Mr. Eyam “was arrested, and he is being detained for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of expression.”
He further wrote, “The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca, should immediately facilitate the release of this student immediately. To be poor and unable to pay school fees is not a crime. To also complain or even protest against unfavorable school policies is not a crime.”
Activist and journalist, Citizen Agba Jalingo, also took to social media to condemn the arrest, warning that continued detention would lead to public demonstrations.
“What exactly did he say here that should warrant arrest and imprisonment?” Jalingo asked while sharing the voice note in question on Facebook.
“Why do we just love to see people being arrested and thrown behind bars? Does that give some power drunk people and some criminal police elements orgasm?” he continued.
Jalingo did not mince words in his criticism of the university’s leadership, warning that if Eyam was not released, there would be consequences.
“Madam Acting VC of UNICROSS, if you do not facilitate the release of this boy, we will actually make your work very very very difficult for you. This wickedness must be challenged and you will also have to give explanations on why it happened in the first place,” he stated.
As pressure mounts from various quarters, stakeholders are urging the authorities to act swiftly to prevent further escalation and ensure that the rights of the detained graduate are upheld.
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