Medical student sues Gregory varsity for human rights violation, others

An undergraduate medical student of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Mr. Starry – Joshua M. Okemebeose has dragged the institution to court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

The applicant, in a motion on notice referenced FHC/ABJ/CS/628/2025 and dated May 26, 2025 is taking the varsity and its management staff to court for human rights violation.

The violation, which is contrary to Order 1 Rule 2 of the fundamental human rights (enforcement procedure) rule, 2009 Section 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act CSP A9, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 also has Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Force CID), Police Service Commission and National University Commission as defendants.

The applicant, Mr. Starry Okemebeose is seeking for adequate restoration of his human dignity and personal liberty infringed upon by Gregory University staff last year.

Mr. Okemebeose, was said to have been heavily beaten, wounded, tied and locked up for days by the University’s security personnel, who mistook him for a thieve, while he was returning to his hostel in the night from where he went to collect a personal handset he gave for repairs.

According to the applicant’s mother, Mrs. Roscess Okemebeose, the incident occured on December 12, 2024 when five security personnel attached to the University manhandled her son.

“My son, was invited to pick up his handset by the technician at the shop within the hostel area at around 9:30 – 10 pm but, on going there the shop was closed, and he became frustrated, thereby prompting him to fling his power – bank.

“On realizing he would need it to light up his way back, he started searching and finally got it on a roof, and began going to his hostel when the security personnel accosted and quizzed him.

“Okemebeose on interocation by security personnel, explained his predicament but all felled on deaf ears, as he was thoroughly beaten, tied and lucked up until 8 pm the following day without food and water.

“When the information got to me, I contacted the Chief Security Officer of the school, who acknowledged the incident but could not offer any help. When I also contacted the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Uwaoma Uche on the phone, he was furious and threatened to send my son away from school”.

Again, Mrs. Okemebeose said when the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cele Njoku called her on December 19, 2024 and she told her about the incident, the VC feigned ignorance but promised to quizzed the personnel involved.

She further mentioned that, since the institution frustrated the investigation, she petitioned the Deputy Inspector – General of Police (DIG), Abuja on December 6, 2024 to oversee the matter, and later Assistant Inspector – General of Police (AIG), Dankwara for fair and thorough investigation.

In an affidavit deposed to by the applicant in support of his motion brought before the Federal High Court, Abuja, he prayed the court to among other things; grant him adequate compensation and public apology by the defendants.

Counsel to the applicant, who is also human rights lawyer, Barrister Jacob B. Udobang said, the matter has been fixed for hearing in the Federal High Court, 10, Abuja on June 9, 2025.

He said, hearing notice dated May 23, 2025 has been issued and served on all the respondents.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ms Ekemini Udo when contacted said, there was no such incident in the university adding that, the current news within the varsity is the induction of new medical students coming up on Wednesday June 4, 2025.

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