Cross River State University Detains Student for Over a Week Over Criticism of Unjust Policy

Graduate student Martins Eyam has been reportedly imprisoned for over a week by the University of Cross River State management, led by Acting Vice Chancellor Mrs. Francisca Bassey, after he spoke out against the institution’s controversial “No School Fees, No Exams” policy.

The Citizens’ Solution Network has strongly condemned the action, calling it a blatant violation of Eyam’s fundamental human right to free speech.

In a statement released Wednesday, the organization’s Country Director, Richard Inoyo, titled “University of Cross River State and Its Vice Chancellor Should End The Abuse of Power and Release Student Martins Eyam From The Calabar Prison,” denounced the actions of the Vice Chancellor as “arbitrary and abysmal.”

“What the Vice Chancellor Mrs. Francisca Bassey has done is arbitrary and abysmal,” Inoyo stated. “No government appoints an acting Vice Chancellor to operate with impunity, nor to use the state’s security forces to target dissent and imprison students. The primary role of security agencies is to confront criminal elements and protect innocent citizens, not to silence those exercising their constitutional rights.”

The organization argued that the Vice Chancellor’s actions exemplified an abuse of power. “Let it be said that neither the acting Vice Chancellor, who is blatantly violating the rights of graduate student Martins Eyam by utilizing public security forces and imprisonment, nor any responsible individual, would tolerate their own child being abducted and locked up simply for exercising their right to free expression,” Inoyo emphasized.

The Citizens’ Solution Network has called on the Cross River State Governor and Attorney General to intervene and ensure Eyam’s immediate release, asserting that the Vice Chancellor’s actions are unconstitutional and a direct assault on the fundamental rights of students.

The organization referred to Section 39 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, noting, “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.” Inoyo stressed that this right has been grossly violated in Eyam’s case.

The network further called on the University to prioritize intellectual diversity and alternative policy pathways, emphasizing that a violation of free speech is a significant failure for any institution of learning. “Human rights violations, especially regarding free speech, are a gross indictment against any citadel of learning where freedom of expression should be celebrated, and dissenting voices should be allowed to challenge and discuss alternative policies,” Inoyo stated.

The organization warned that if this violation is not addressed, it could set a dangerous precedent for further human rights abuses at the University. “Today, graduate student Martins Eyam is the victim. None of us can predict whether tomorrow a similar figure might overstep their bounds and imprison one of our own children for speaking out,” Inoyo cautioned.

The Citizens’ Solution Network is demanding that Acting Vice Chancellor Mrs. Bassey be relieved of her position in light of this grave misconduct. “Free graduate student Martins Eyam now,” Inoyo urged, reiterating the organization’s stance that the Vice Chancellor should be held accountable for her actions.

The network is calling on all stakeholders to denounce this egregious violation of human rights and to advocate for Eyam’s immediate release. The Citizens’ Solution Network remains committed to defending the rights of students and ensuring that justice is served.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the abduction and gross violation of graduate student Martins Eyam’s rights,” Inoyo concluded, once again demanding his unconditional release.