High court freezes suspension of UCC students

A Cape Coast High court has placed an interim injunction on the rustication of some 22 students by the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The order restraining the university authorities from enforcing their decision was issued by Justice William Boampong Tuesday and lasts until Friday, May 26, 2017.

“It is hereby ordered that the defendant [UCC], its agents, workmen or employee are restrained from carrying out their purported decision to rusticate the Plaintiffs.

“It is further ordered that the defendant is further restrained from preventing the Plaintiffs/Applicants from writing the 2nd Semester examination,” the court directed.

At least 22 students were suspended following clashes in the university during the Hall week celebration of the Oguaa Hall.

The students, largely Junior Common Room (JCR) executives, were suspended for between two and four semesters depending on the gravity of their involvement in the disturbances.

One UCC student, Emmanuel Quarshie, 18, was left paralysed after he was stabbed multiple times in the back during the altercation.

He is currently on admission at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra where he is receiving treatment.

Properties worth thousands of cedis belonging to Oguaa Hall were destroyed in the clashes. The hall’s bus and vehicles belonging to some lecturers were vandalised.

After an exhaustive investigation by a Committee set up by the university, the 22 students were found to have played various roles in the disturbances hence their suspension.

The students were driven out of the exams centre. They were also asked to pack their belongings and leave the campus.