Photo: Prof Joshua Ogunwole
By: Mandy Park
Students and workers of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Wednesday, prevented a team of policemen from arresting the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at his official residence in Ado-Ekiti.
The development reportedly created tension around the vice-chancellor’s residence after Ogunwole raised the alarm over the presence of the security operatives, prompting academic and non-academic staff as well as students to converge on the area.
Narrating the incident to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at his residence at about 6:10am, shortly after he had gone to bed around 3am.
He said his children alerted him after noticing security personnel around the house.
According to him, he initially refused to come out because he was uncertain about the identity of the operatives and the reason for their presence.
Ogunwole said the policemen informed him that they had a warrant, but he insisted that he would not leave his residence until he was properly informed of the reason for the intended arrest.
He said the development was linked to a petition allegedly filed by some individuals associated with the university, including the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Kehinde Adeola.
The vice-chancellor explained that the dispute was connected with an audio recording that allegedly leaked and subsequently prompted the university management to invite those concerned to appear before an investigative committee to explain the contents of the recording.
He said the matter had since become the subject of litigation, adding that he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as threats to his life and workplace.
Ogunwole said he had instructed his lawyers to contact the police and explain that the matter was already before the court, stressing that he remained available to honour any lawful invitation.
The VC recalled that he had previously honoured a police invitation over an earlier petition, saying he appeared with his lawyers and was questioned from morning until evening before being released on self-recognisance.
He questioned the decision to send officers to surround his residence rather than invite him for questioning.
He said, “Somebody of my calibre would not run away anywhere. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me.”
Ogunwole, however, said he remained committed to the administration of the university and its reform agenda.
“There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute,” he stated.
ASUU backs VC
Also speaking, the FUOYE branch Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union members were at the vice-chancellor’s residence to oppose what he described as an attempt to intimidate the university administrator.
Fagbuagun alleged that some individuals who were influential under the previous administration were uncomfortable with changes being introduced by Ogunwole.
He alleged irregularities including “illegal promotion, abnormal promotion and mismanagement of funds” under previous administrations, but did not provide documentary evidence to support the claims during his interaction with journalists.
The ASUU chairman also accused the former vice-chancellor, Fasina, of resorting to police petitions rather than internal mechanisms for resolving disputes within the university.
He said academic staff would resist any further attempt to harass or intimidate the incumbent vice-chancellor.
“We are here this morning to show the whole world that our VC cannot be intimidated,” Fagbuagun said.
The Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists, FUOYE branch, Comrade Oluwashola Babafemi, said members of the association also converged on the residence to protect what he described as the peace and progress being recorded under the current administration.
Babafemi said Ogunwole had remained accessible to workers and had demonstrated concern for staff welfare.
He said the association was opposed to anything capable of disrupting the university’s operations.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, FUOYE branch, Comrade Emmanuel Adegun, said members were alerted that policemen had arrived at the vice-chancellor’s residence and might take him away.
He said the union consequently mobilised to the residence to show solidarity with the vice-chancellor.
A non-teaching staff member, Victoria Adeyoju, also appealed for an end to what she described as attempts to intimidate Ogunwole.
Adeyoju said staff members wanted peace, stability and good governance in the institution.
The incident ended with the staff and students maintaining a presence around the vice-chancellor’s residence, preventing the situation from escalating further.
