The management of the University of Benin has announced the indefinite suspension of the university’s Student Union Government (SUG) following an attack on the Edo State Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, allegedly by some students believed to be members of the student union. In a statement released by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, the suspension was said to take effect from Monday, April 29, 2024.

According to the statement, the decision to suspend the SUG came after the university management received the report of a panel constituted to investigate the incidents that occurred in the Faculty of Law and the University’s Senior Staff Club on Friday, April 12, 2024. After due consideration of the report, the Vice Chancellor approved the indefinite suspension of the university’s Student Union Government.

As part of the suspension directives, all officers of the student union are required to hand over all properties of the union in their possession to the Dean of Students’ Affairs by 4pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Additionally, a Caretaker Committee composed of representatives from faculties, schools, and institutes has been approved to coordinate students’ activities during the period of suspension.