Cybercrime Allegations: FUOYE Moves Against Publishers, Defends Vice-Chancellor

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has threatened to take legal action against media organisations and publishers over reports linking its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, and other senior university officials to alleged cybercrime offences.

The institution said it was concerned about what it described as persistent attempts to damage the reputation of the Vice-Chancellor and the university through publications that allegedly presented unverified claims as established facts.

According to a statement signed by the university’s Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, the institution’s legal representatives are currently reviewing the publications and are expected to contact the affected media organisations to demand explanations and credible evidence backing their reports.

FUOYE warned that publishers who fail to provide satisfactory explanations or verifiable evidence could face legal proceedings, including civil action and, where applicable under the law, criminal proceedings.

The university specifically denied allegations that Professor Ogunwole hacked anyone’s telephone, unlawfully intercepted private conversations, accessed electronic information or tampered with another person’s communication devices.

It maintained that the Vice-Chancellor had not been convicted by any court of committing any cybercrime-related offence.

The institution further explained that the controversy centred on an audio recording that was already circulating publicly before it came to the attention of the university’s management. It insisted that neither the university nor the Vice-Chancellor was responsible for producing or circulating the recording.

According to the statement, the recording subsequently became an issue within the institution, prompting an administrative process during which some individuals connected to the matter were asked to explain their involvement.

FUOYE explained that Professor Ogunwole became involved in the matter only in the discharge of his official responsibilities as Vice-Chancellor, stressing that there was no evidence in the university’s records indicating that he unlawfully obtained, recorded or manipulated anyone’s private conversation.

The university reiterated its commitment to protecting its reputation and that of its leadership, while warning media organisations against publishing allegations without credible supporting evidence.