War Against Paying For Bail: SUG Legal Director Warns Students

The legal director of the OOU students' union government, Comrade Olatunji Johnson, popularly known as Lexzicon has launched a campaign against unlawful arrests, illegal detention and other forms of harassment that is being  practiced by police officers around the University's Main Campus in Ago Iwoye.

Lexzicon revealed this in an interview with Campus Mirror where he profusely lamented on how rampant the menace is in the university's environment.

According to him, he goes to the police station almost five times a week to bail students who have been arrested for one offence or the other. He said most students affected are usually ignorant on what to do and they end up paying huge amount of money to police officers for their release which he termed inappropriate.

"Most times, when students are being arrested, what they do is to call people at home, then they pay money for their release. This money is illegal because you're not supposed to pay, bail is totally free.", Lexzicon said.

The 500L student of Law added that the money collected most times does not even get to the appropriate authority as police officers are used to share it amongst themselves. He warned students to desist from paying money to police men but instead, call the school authority.

"The major challenge is that students don't know what to do when they're in trouble. If you're arrested, the right person to call is the school authority. You can call the legal director or any CEC member of the SUG.

"They are likely to scare you with court interference unless you pay for bail. Let them do that and let's see if the court is foolish to make decision on your matter.", the vibrant legal director said.

Lexzicon also urged students to stay out of trouble as those who are arrested for crimes they are guilty of would have no moral standing to call the school authority.

On the issue of police and SARS officials harrasing and checking students phone or searching their house, he assured that plans are in place to eradicate the threat completely. 

Meanwhile, he advised students to comply when police stop them to check their phones.

When arrested by the police, students should call any of the following numbers:

Lexzicon 08132099310
Chairman Legal Committee 07062852654
PRO Legal Committee 09035358506
SUG Welfare 08138058989
SUG PRO 08138387162

By Ogunjimi Ayomikun