OAU Students Arrested by EFCC Face Trial for Internet Fraud

Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a fraud investigation against students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, which has put the university at the center of controversy.

Following the arrest of 69 people by EFCC agents on suspicion of engaging in online fraud, many of whom were students at OAU, the decision was made. During a late-night operation, EFCC agents raided hostels off the OAU campus, leading to the arrests. The hostels of the Oduduwa Estate in Ile-Ife, including Fine Touch and Superb, were impacted.

In response to the arrests, Students’ organization President Akinremi Ojo voiced concern and said that the organization had records of “72 students taken from the hostel, with the confiscation of their phones and cars.” There have been concerns expressed over the methods used during the arrests, since there have been claims of mistreatment and physical abuse of the students.

The identity of the detainees as OAU students were not formally revealed, despite the EFCC confirming the arrests and citing credible intelligence regarding the defendants’ involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities. According to the agency’s statement, the detainees have made insightful statements and will appear in court when the investigations are finished.

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OAU students and union representatives mobilized in response to the arrests, demanding the immediate release of their fellow students from the EFCC headquarters in Ibadan. This sparked demonstrations outside the EFCC building, which led to a tense confrontation with security guards.

A division of the National Association of Nigerian Students, the Osun Joint Campus Committee, strongly denounced the arrests in a statement. They voiced their strong disagreement to the measures implemented against the students, especially in light of the lack of a clear rationale or proof for the arrests.

The management of the university has responded to the issue through the actions of Public Relations Officer Abiodun Olarewaju. Meetings were arranged between EFCC authority and university representatives to discuss the issue.

Later on, it was verified that eleven of the students were still being detained and would likely have to respond to the accusations made against them, leaving 58 of the students free. In order to manage the fallout from these arrests and the effects on the students concerned, the university is actively collaborating with the EFCC as the situation continues to change.