By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN- Congress for Progressive Chan-ge, CPC, in Edo State, Tuesday, called on Governor Adams Oshiom-hole of the state to free the 14 part time students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who are standing trial over their alleged involvement in the February 15, 2010 riot in the university.

It will be recalled that the students protested the increase in their school fees by the state government, during which the university authorities arrested some of them. The arrested students were then charged to court.

The state CPC chairman, Mr. Godwin Erhahon in a statement, decried what he called the unfair “selection of 14 indigent students for trial out of the thousands of protesters because they were not able to bribe themselves out.

“Moreover, all the part time students have collectively compensated the school authority and other known victims of the riot as directed by the authorities.

“The students are, therefore, being tried for alleged offences for which their school had pardoned them even though the prosecution is yet to produce any evidence linking the 14 accused persons with the riots.”

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, on the issue proved abortive.