The UI'SRC had on Monday, June 2nd invited Hon Segun (Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Constituency), Hon. Shalom (Queen Elizabeth II Hall Constituency) and Hon. Nice Linus to provide statement of defense for their actions having been identified as key parties in an altercation with some UI'SU executives on May 15, an altercation that later influenced the executive's decision to unilaterally suspend the scheduled May 17 congress.
In her letter, Nice pointed out that the resolution of the May 16 emergency sitting of the housed was that all honorable members involved in the altercation were to be referred to the SRC’s Disciplinary Committee. She then expressed surprise that a letter of ‘notification of allegations’ was ferried into her account via WhatsApp by an unknown person who according to her "refused to properly identify himself/herself."
She then recalled the refusal of the UI'SRC to recognize as an honourable member despite court order and then asked if the letter referred to a different personality.
"Recall that I sent a letter of notification to the Council on 28th of March, 2025, to
which the Speaker made a release on the 29th of March, 2025, using the Students' Representative Council’s letterhead to state that the Council cannot recognize a Court order because it fails to follow a ‘due process’ specified by the Speaker in that letter. Attached to this letter is the release the Speaker wrote, dated 29th March, 2025, as a reminder. It thus follows that I am not recognized as an Honorable member of the 12th Assembly. Could it be that this latest letter allegedly from the Disciplinary Committee was addressed to a different personality? Additionally, as earlier stated, the resolutions of the Council say that only honorable members of the 12th Assembly were referred to the Disciplinary Committee. Why is a letter from the Committee addressing an ordinary member of the Union as ‘Honorable’?"
"At this point, I must refer the House to Article XXVII, where the duties of the Disciplinary Committee are clearly outlined. According to the Constitution, the Committee: “...shall be solely responsible for disciplinary actions against members and any erring officers of the Union. iii. The Secretary shall cause any erring member of the Council to appear before it. Where and when an erring member fails to appear before the Committee, without justifiable reasons, he/she shall be suspended from the Council until he/she appears.” It is disappointing that the Disciplinary Committee cannot properly interpret this provision. Perhaps the term ‘members’ may have posed a confusing meaning to members of the committee, but had the entire provision been properly read, the understanding that ‘members’ there refers to ‘members of the council’ upon whom the authority of the Committee is binding and who stand to risk suspension if they do not accord the Committee its constitutional authority, would not have eluded the authors of that letter," the letter read.
She also pointed out the fact that UI'SRC disciplinary committee lacks jurisdiction over matters involving ordinary students and that his void would have been filled by a Judicial Council had the Council been considerate enough to establish one. "Given my current status as an ordinary student, it is unexpected that I find my name on such a letter from the Disciplinary Committee. Unless the Council intends to take a stance different from that which it has already taken as evidenced by the March 29th, 2025 letter," the letter read in part.
"I must point out the fact that 48 hours is not a reasonable timeframe. I must refer the Disciplinary Committee to the rules of Court in this regard. ‘Adequate time’ may be up to 42 days; but is; in the least, seven days. Telling an accused person “you shall ask no questions!” as done by the stranger on WhatsApp, is unconstitutional, unethical and unacceptable. It puts the Disciplinary Committee’s commitment to justice to question. The onus lies on the committee and Council by extension to be of good conscience and be committed to justice and fairness," she said.
"On a final note, I wish to urge the Council to bring clarification on all the issues raised, including the neglected issue of my due recognition as a member of the Council and the conduct of the Disciplinary Committee," the letter concluded.
