A growing unrest is brewing among the students of Adkan College of Management and Technology, following the administration’s decision to indefinitely suspend ten students on allegations of involvement in cultist activities.

The suspension, announced on April 29, 2024, has sparked a wave of concern and dissatisfaction among the student body, culminating in a formal appeal to the college administration.

The suspended students include:

  1. James Yamba Kamara – BED, Year I
  2. Nabieu Steven Gbondo – BED, Year I
  3. Abdul Bangura – Diploma, Year II
  4. Abdul D. Mansaray – Diploma, Year II
  5. Dauda Kuyateh – Diploma, Year II
  6. Momoh I. Kamara – Diploma, Year II
  7. Ibrahim S. Sesay – Diploma, Year II
  8. Khadija Kuyateh – Diploma, Year II
  9. Mariatu M. Conteh – Diploma, Year II
  10. Naomi Kallon – Diploma, Year II

In a detailed letter addressed to the college administration, the concerned students argue that the suspensions were carried out without due process and lack substantive evidence. They emphasize the need for fair treatment and due process, underscoring that the suspended students were not given the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations. This, they assert, is a violation of their fundamental rights.

The students also raised serious concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the Registrar, who played a key role in the suspension decision. According to the appeal, the Registrar has a personal relationship with Fatima Kamara, a diploma student. The students claim this relationship might have influenced the disciplinary actions taken against the ten suspended individuals, thereby compromising the impartiality of the decision.

Highlighting the importance of evidence-based action, the concerned students call for a transparent and unbiased investigation to ascertain the facts before imposing such severe punishments. They stress that the administration’s reliance on allegations without concrete proof undermines the trust and credibility of the college’s disciplinary process.

The impact of the suspension on the academic and personal development of the affected students is another major point of contention. The students argue that such a harsh measure disrupts their education and hampers their personal growth. They insist that participation in social and extracurricular activities is vital for a holistic educational experience and that punitive actions should be reserved for cases with irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing.

In their letter, the students urge the administration to reinstate the suspended individuals pending a fair and thorough investigation. They call for immediate measures to restore the reputation and academic standing of the students if the investigation proves their innocence.

Additionally, the concerned students have reached out to several external bodies, including the Ministry of Education, the LUC Waterloo Police Station, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, the National Union of Students Association, and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), seeking their intervention to ensure that justice is served. They believe that the credibility and integrity of Adkan College hinge on the adherence to principles of fairness and justice.

The student representative of the concerned group expressed their hope for a prompt and just resolution to the matter, stating, “We believe in the values of our institution and are confident that the administration will take the necessary steps to uphold justice and integrity. We are not against disciplinary measures, but we insist they be carried out fairly and transparently.”