The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has written an open letter to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State over what it described as a "grave miscarriage of justice" in the ongoing trial of the immediate past President of the Students' Union Government of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Comrade James Adio Iyanuoluwa.
In a letter signed by Owolewa Taiwo, Head of Administration, NANS National Headquarters dated and addressed to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, with copies to the Chief Judge of Ekiti State and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, NANS alleged that the proceedings before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun at the Magistrate Court, Fajuyi, Ado-Ekiti, had departed from legal principles and descended into "personal agenda and procedural abuse."
According to NANS, Comrade Adio was the victim of cyberbullying and breach of privacy after private, consensual moments were allegedly recorded and circulated on social media without his consent. The student body said he approached the court seeking redress under cybercrime laws.
However, NANS alleged that instead of focusing on the charges of non-consensual dissemination of private media, Magistrate Adeosun shifted attention to moral assessments and ordered the remand of Comrade Adio alongside the accused persons until August 4, 2026.
The association also faulted submissions by state officials, including the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Akinlabi O.O., and the Director of Citizenship Rights, Mr. H.A. Adeyemi, who it claimed questioned why FUOYE suspended only the female party while allowing Comrade Adio to sit for exams.
NANS said legal counsel presented records showing Adio’s prior suspension was for a separate matter from which he was exonerated and reinstated by the University Senate, but that this was disregarded.
"Reports indicate that the primary defendant has frequently visited the Ministry of Justice and related offices in the period leading up to these rulings.
The alignment of actions between the prosecution and the bench suggests a loss of judicial neutrality," the letter stated.
NANS listed four demands to the Ekiti State Government and judiciary: Immediate recusal of Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun over alleged bias, Reassignment of the case by the Chief Judge to an impartial judge, Independent review and setting aside of the remand order against Comrade Adio and Investigation of the DPP and Director of Citizenship Rights over their role in the prosecution.
The association warned that failure to act promptly would compel it to petition the National Judicial Council and other legal disciplinary bodies to review the conduct of all judicial officers involved.
"We trust Your Excellency will act swiftly to uphold the rule of law, restore public confidence in the Ekiti State judiciary, and ensure that justice is administered without fear, favor, or moral prejudice," NANS stated.
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