Ajayi Crowther University has expelled some students for beating their colleague to death over a stolen phone.
The victim, whose identity hasn’t been confirmed, was accused of stealing a mobile phone and was beaten by a group of students until he died at the Shepherd Inn hostel on campus.
According to a source, the beating started around 6 p.m. on Friday and continued until about 10 a.m. on Saturday. They also shaved the victim’s head before the assault.
“They said they caught him with a stolen phone. They started beating him from 6 p.m. yesterday (Friday) until he died at about 10 a.m. today (Saturday).
“The incident happened at Shepherd Inn. It’s like a lodge or a hostel now. They also shaved the hair of the guy before beating him,” the source said.
Femi Atoyebi, the school’s spokesperson, said that some students involved have been arrested and handed over to the police, though the total number of attackers is unknown.
He said, “For now, I think we have some and those have been handed over to the police.”
When asked if the victim was Alex Timileyi, a prince from the Warri Kingdom, Atoyebi couldn’t confirm it but stated the victim was a student at the university.
“By now, the school must have known the student. It’s not a secret. His status as a Prince, I don’t know. But to the best of my knowledge, he was a student of Ajayi Crowther University,” he said.
He said the hostel porter has been suspended and handed over to the police for investigation due to negligence of duty.
Atoyebi said, “For the dereliction of his duty, he is on suspension and also handed over to the police to assist with investigations.”
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Atoyebi, the university denied rumors that those involved were part of a secret cult, stating that there is no cult activity on campus.
Atoyebi emphasized that the expelled students acted out of uncontrolled emotions instead of reporting the theft to the university management.
He said the university has promised full cooperation with the police and assured that justice will be served.
“Contrary to popular belief, the university asserts that there is no cult activity on campus, and maintains a strict stance against any form of societal misconduct.
“It should be noted that the expelled students are not affiliated with any cult group.
“What actually happened is that the deceased was alleged to have stolen a mobile telephone, but instead of reporting the issue to the University management, the expelled students could not control their emotions.
“Their actions led to the unfortunate death of the student.
“The University has taken swift action by handing over all the students involved to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation, with the assurance that justice will be served.
“The University remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a safe, conducive, peaceful, and godly atmosphere for learning”, Atoyebi said.
KanyiDaily had also reported how Osun State High Court sentenced the owner of Hilton Hotel, Rahmon Adedoyin, to death by hanging for the murder of OAU student ,Timothy Adegoke.