There was mild drama at the house of representatives on Tuesday when the committee on basic examination bodies ordered the detention of four officials of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The WAEC officials — Amos Josiah Dangut, head of national office, WAEC Nigeria; Angus Okeleze, senior deputy registrar; Victor Odu, acting director of finance; and Segun Jerumeh, deputy director of finance — were detained by the sergeant-at-arms for about 20 minutes at the behest of the committee.

Uchenna Okonkwo, a member of the committee, moved a motion for the arrest of the officials for “failing to adequately answer” lawmakers’ questions.

The panel accused the examination body of not being accountable to parliament.

While briefing the committee, Dangut said WAEC is not an agency of government and therefore cannot be as accountable as other agencies.

He said WAEC Nigeria is a signatory to the WAEC convention which means it is not a parastatal of government.

He was countered by the lawmakers who insisted that WAEC Nigeria is a creation of an Act of parliament, and must be accountable to the national assembly because it receives appropriation.

“WAEC is subject to Nigeria’s laws. We have reviewed the position and we have all the powers to oversight you. You cannot come here and say WAEC is not an agency of government,” the committee chairman said.

Okonkwo then moved a motion for the arrest of the WAEC officials.

“I will like to move a motion that while pending the investigation to look into the activities of WAEC Nigeria, the invited guests before us should be taken into custody and held at the police post while we seek for solutions for these issues they are bringing upon Nigerians,” Okonkwo said.

The motion was seconded by Marie Ebikake, a member of the committee.

The officials protested the committee’s ruling.

They were subsequently detained for about 20 minutes and released.

Watch the video below

VIDEO: Reps panel in heated debate with WAEC officials over alleged fraud pic.twitter.com/5BFjfNL1LQ

— TheCable (@thecableng) July 24, 2024

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has suspended its strike.

Sylvanus Ugoh, the chairman of the university’s branch of ASUU, addressed journalists following a congress in Abuja on Monday.

The UniAbuja ASUU has been at loggerheads with the varsity’s management in a protest against alleged illegal appointments and promotions.

The union members had disagreed with some appointments done without a governing council.

The ASUU branch also rejected an advert for the vacancy of the vice-chancellor’s position by the then Abdulrasheed Na’Allah-led university management.

They had begun a strike on May 2 to voice their demands.

Ugoh said on Monday that the UniAbuja ASUU suspended its strike after the union met with a new governing council in the university.

He said the council promised to review and address all of the union’s demands.

Ugoh said the council agreed to cancel the controversial advertorial and publish a new one in line with due process.

He said the council also agreed to review the staff employment and promotion process, especially those of the 2022/2023 season.

“Within these 82 days, we have been engaging with the former vice chancellor but he did not shift ground,” the ASUU chairman said.

“He refused in his position to comply with the rules. He refused to comply with the act establishing the university and refused to oblige the process. After all procedures failed, the union embarked on a comprehensive and indefinite strike.

“Since the inauguration of the council, the union has been engaging the council and the university administration. The council met with the union last Thursday. They communicated in writing to the union, touching on the issues that bothered the strike.

“The council agreed to cancel the advert that was placed before now and re-advertise for the position of the VC. The council also went ahead to agree with the union to review the process of recruitment that was done without due process.

“The process of employment of staff in the university is clear. There must be an advert in the national daily. These processes were not followed. So the council has agreed to review the process of recruitment and get back to the union.

“They also have mandated that the election into the position of deans of facilities and provost, College of Health Sciences, be conducted.”

One Emmanuel in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, was shot dead in his room on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

The deceased, a 300-level student of Adekunle Ajasin University, met his untimely death after some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked him in his private hostel.

It was gathered that Emmanuel, who was studying Linguistics at the tertiary institution, was shot while on his bed.

A student, who requested anonymity, disclosed, “It happened last night; the victim was shot while on his bed, in his room.”

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Odunlami Ibukun, confirmed that the police were informed and were investigating the incident.

“It was reported to the police, and they went to the crime scene. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm. The investigation is ongoing,” Ibukun said.

The Vice Chairman of the National Association of Universities Students (NAUS), Comrade Oladele Emmanuel, called security agencies and the university management to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The motive behind the killing is yet to be identified,” he stated. “However, the university community must be reassured that such a tragic event will be met with the full force of the law and diligent investigative efforts.”

He noted that the death of the young student was a devastating loss not only for his family and friends but also for the entire AAUA community.

“His potential and contributions to our shared academic environment are irreplaceable. We mourn his untimely departure and extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time,” the students’ union leader stated.

The NAUS Vice Chairman urged the university management to enhance security measures around the campus and surrounding areas, including increasing security patrols, providing better lighting, and ensuring more accessible emergency services. “We trust that the authorities will act with urgency and transparency in addressing this incident. Emmanuel’s memory deserves nothing less than our commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.”

The student union leader emphasised the need for the AAUA community to unite in their grief and resolve to create a safer and more secure environment for all.