Parents demand EFCC apology over OAU students’ arrest

Parents of the freed students of the Obafemi Awolowo University on Friday demanded an immediate clearance of their children’s names, biometrics and pictures from the records of the Economic Financial Crime Commission.

They also demanded an apology for what they termed as an unlawful clampdown on their wards from the anti-graft agency.

This followed the release of 58 students by the EFCC on November 1, 2023.

A group identified as the Parents’ Coalition against the Invasion of OAU Students’ Hostels by the EFCC, demanded that the anti-graft agency expunged the names, pictures, identities and biometrics of their children from all EFCC records and all social media platforms.

The spokesperson for the coalition, Yinka Junaid, who spoke during a press conference in Gbagada, Lagos State, said that they were committed to defending their children’s rights, asking for the protection of their children’s future.

He stated that the parents expected the announcement of the removal of their names followed by the issuance of the public apology.

“To this end, we expect the announcement of the removal of their (children’s) names followed by the issuance of the public apology, and this must be advertised in leading national newspapers and circulated on all EFCC social media handles, websites and all news agencies in the country.

“We also called on the agency to conclude investigations on students who have been released, and whose devices, including academic tools, are still being held.

“We call on the EFCC to release and clear our children on whom nothing has been found unconditionally and without delay. We demand that the anti-graft agency expunge their names, pictures, identities and biometrics and everything about them from all EFCC records and all social media platforms.”

They also urged the judiciary to do due diligence on the arraignment of the 11 students.