Fifteen Nigerian students and one Ghanaian have been expelled from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for their alleged involvement in various acts of misconduct in the university.
Expulsion letters handed to the students yesterday, a copy of which was seen by the Times of Ghana, stated that after careful monitoring of their activities and behaviour, the university authorities were convinced that their presence posed a serious risk to both students and staff.
It, however, did not give details of the specific acts, but said the university’s action was without any prejudice to on-going investigations by the national security authorities on the students.
The affected students include Prince Orianwo (third year, Biochemistry); Nnamdi Nnakwadolu Enekwa (first year, Chemical Engineering); Fortune Chimenem Orianwo (first year, Social Sciences); Ndamka Chima Onyeche (third year, Mechanical Engineering); Onomeh Uduebor (second year, Electrical and Electronics Engineering); Peter Odilli (second year, Human Biology); and Medingo Edem Usoro (second year, Human Biology).
Others are Jemila Temila (third year, Biological Science); Edu Ekanabias Udofia (second year, Chemistry); Daraeno Ekong Udofia (second year, Biochemistry); Anthony Oyiweabuchi Udehi (third year, Computer Engineering); and Ifeanyi Francis Ekwelibe (first year, Social Science).
Dominic Bari-Nyana (first year, Computer Science); Nnaemeka Uchenna-Emezue (second year, Electrical and Electronics Engineering); Afam Ochia (fourth year, Social Science); and Albert Ofori Woode (second year, Agriculture) were also affected.
Further investigation by the Times of Ghana at the University Relations Office revealed that the misconduct for which the students were dismissed were committed about a year ago and investigations had been on-going since then.
A source said the action by the university had nothing to do with the riot by some Nigerian students over last week’s killing of a Nigerian student who attempted arresting a thief.
Meanwhile, in a bid to tighten security in and around the university campus, the authorities have designated the Bonso gate of the university as the only exit point from campus with effect from today.
A release signed by Deputy Registrar, Kobby Yebo-Okrah, said: "Entry to the university from Kumasi and Bomso areas shall be accessed through the main university entrance".
It would be recalled that a 22-year-old Nigerian student, Ukpong Udoo Unnungude, a second-year Social Science student of the university, met his untimely death last week Thursday when he was stabbed by a suspected armed robber.
The deceased, it was gathered, had attempted to arrest the suspected robber with the help of a colleague. His body has since been deposited at the KNUST Teaching Hospital mortuary pending autopsy.
His killing, however, incensed other Nigerian students, who later went on rampage.Police and campus guards’ intervention, besides the declaration of a state of emergency by the university authorities, contained the situation.
Among security measures taken were the closure of a taxi rank on campus that links the institution to Atonsu and Ahinsan suburbs and intensification of a joint police/military/campus guards patrols during which no taxis are allowed on campus after 9 p.m.
Campus guards have also been given the power of arrest of suspicious persons on the campus.A delegation from the Nigerian High Commission has visited the Nigerian students on campus, appealing to them to exercise restraint for a peaceful co-existence.
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