OAU begins probe as lecturer ‘punches’ student
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has commenced an investigation into a heated altercation involving a lecturer and a student of the institution.
The 200-level student named Gift was said to have strayed into a class where the lecturer — simply identified as Ariyo — was giving a lecture.
The student immediately made attempts to leave the class when the lecturer called him back.
It was gathered that Ariyo and Gift engaged in a heated war of words after which he invited security personnel to take the student.
The lecturer was said to have ordered Gift to switch off his phone during the faceoff.
“Do not call anybody! Switch off that phone! You cannot be more than me, even if you are the VC’s son. I will not take this from you. Switch off the phone!” Ariyo yelled.
In a now-viral clip, Gift appeared to have ignored Ariyo’s instruction, prompting the lecturer to rough handle him in an attempt to collect the phone from his hand.
Ariyo was thereafter seen throwing punches at Gift to the shock of the other students in the class.
It was alleged that the student was bleeding from his mouth afterward and his Samsung phone got damaged.
Speaking on the incident, Abiodun Olarewaju, the university’s spokesman, said the matter was under investigation.
Olarewaju said “a panel will be set up, adding that the management is on top of the situation”.
