NANS Demands Adio’s Release, Alleges Judicial Bias in FUOYE Ex-SUG President’s Case
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has accused the Ekiti State judiciary of compromising due process in the remand of the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Comrade James Adio Iyanuoluwa, demanding his immediate release and an independent review of the case.
In an open letter addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with copies to the Chief Judge of Ekiti State and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the student body described Adio’s remand as a “grave miscarriage of justice” and called for urgent judicial intervention.
The letter, signed by NANS National Head of Administration, Owolewa Taiwo, alleged that Adio, who approached the court as a complainant over the alleged non-consensual circulation of his private videos on social media, was instead remanded alongside those standing trial in the matter.
According to NANS, the case, which it said was instituted to seek justice over alleged cyberbullying and invasion of privacy, was diverted from its original focus as the court allegedly centred its proceedings on moral considerations rather than the legal issues before it.
The association further accused the presiding Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, of demonstrating bias by ordering the remand of Adio until August 4, 2026, despite his status as the complainant.
NANS also questioned the roles played by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Akinlabi O.O., and the Director of Citizenship Rights, Mr. H.A. Adeyemi, alleging that both officials ignored evidence presented by Adio’s legal team regarding his previous suspension and reinstatement by the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Senate.
The student body consequently demanded the immediate recusal of Magistrate Adeosun from the case, reassignment of the matter to another court, a judicial review of the remand order, and an independent investigation into the conduct of the state officials involved in the prosecution.
It warned that should the requests not be granted, it would petition the National Judicial Council and other relevant disciplinary bodies to review the conduct of the judicial officers handling the matter.
In a separate statement, NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, described the remand order as “judicial rascality” and a violation of Adio’s fundamental rights.
Akinteye disclosed that he had directed the NANS Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman for the Ekiti Axis and the association’s National Head of Administration to commence mobilisation for peaceful protests.
According to him, demonstrations will be staged at the Ekiti State High Court, the Magistrate Court and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions until Adio is released and justice is served.
The association maintained that it would continue to defend the rights of Nigerian students and ensure that justice is upheld through lawful means.
