The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to conduct an independent investigation into the reported assault, torture, and degrading treatment of a female student, Divine, by officials of Coal City University in Enugu State. RULAAC also urged the immediate reversal of the one-year suspension imposed on the student, describing the action as punitive, retaliatory, and unjustifiable.
Incident Details
Divine, a 300-level Physiotherapy student, was allegedly assaulted under circumstances yet to be clarified. A viral video of the incident circulated on social media, but the university has reportedly refused to comment. In a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC expressed concern, stating that the reports and video evidence raise serious questions about respect for human rights, student welfare, institutional accountability, and regulatory oversight in private universities in Nigeria.
Legal Violations
Nwanguma emphasized that no educational institution, regardless of ownership, has the authority to subject any student to physical assault, torture, degrading treatment, humiliation, or other forms of cruel and inhuman punishment. Such conduct violates Section 34(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the dignity of the human person and prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. It also contravenes Nigeria's obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Suspension of Victim and Witnesses
RULAAC was particularly alarmed that, instead of investigating and sanctioning those allegedly responsible for the assault, the university reportedly imposed a one-year suspension on the victim and six-month suspensions on two other female students whose only offense was recording and preserving evidence of the incident. Such actions send a dangerous message that victims and whistleblowers will be punished while perpetrators are protected.
Additional Allegations
The statement also highlighted allegations that students in the Physiotherapy Department have paid substantial tuition and other mandatory fees despite being deprived of adequate teaching services due to the prolonged absence of lecturers, reportedly resulting from unpaid salaries. Reports indicate that only one lecturer has been available to teach students registered for multiple courses during the semester. If confirmed, this raises serious concerns about academic standards, student welfare, consumer protection, and regulatory compliance.
Furthermore, RULAAC noted allegations that students have continued to pay for transportation services that were unavailable, and that other categories of students have been compelled to pay fees for academic and clinical postings that were not provided. These issues deserve urgent investigation by the relevant authorities.
Demands
RULAAC called on the Minister of Education and the NUC to direct the immediate lifting of the six-month suspensions imposed on the two students who recorded the incident, thereby helping preserve evidence of an alleged human rights violation. The group also demanded an investigation into allegations concerning unpaid lecturers, disruption of academic activities, inadequate teaching arrangements, and possible breaches of accreditation and quality assurance requirements. Additionally, it called for an investigation into fees collected from students for services not provided, including transportation and clinical posting arrangements, and appropriate remedial measures where necessary. RULAAC assured its support to the victims.
