Drama At FUOYE As Staff Confront Alleged Police Arrest Attempt On Vice-Chancellor

Staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Wednesday mobilised to the residence of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, in Ado-Ekiti after policemen reportedly arrived in an attempt to arrest him.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the development occurred in the early hours of Wednesday after Ogunwole raised an alarm over the presence of security personnel around his official residence. The Vice-Chancellor said the officers arrived at about 6:10 a.m., shortly after he had gone to bed around 3:00 a.m.

Ogunwole said his children alerted him after noticing the security personnel around the residence. He explained that he initially remained inside because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to know the reason for their presence.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the officers later told him they had an arrest warrant, but he said he insisted on being informed about the basis for the proposed arrest before leaving his residence.

Ogunwole linked the development to a petition allegedly filed by individuals connected with the university, including former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Fasina and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Kehinde Adeola. He said the dispute was connected to an audio recording that had allegedly surfaced, after which the university management invited those involved to appear before an investigative committee.

The Vice-Chancellor said the matter had subsequently become the subject of litigation and that he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as threats to his life and workplace. He added that his lawyers had contacted the police to explain that the matter was already before the court.

Ogunwole maintained that he remained available to respond to any lawful invitation, recalling that he had previously honoured a police invitation over another petition and answered questions before being released on self-recognisance.

He questioned why officers had to come to his residence rather than inviting him through what he described as more appropriate channels, while insisting that he would continue with his administration’s plans to reposition FUOYE.

The reported police presence prompted the mobilisation of academic and non-academic staff as well as students to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. The FUOYE branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union joined the gathering to oppose what he described as an attempt to intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.

Fagbuagun alleged that some individuals associated with the university’s previous administration were opposed to changes being introduced by Ogunwole. He also made allegations involving promotions and financial management at the institution, but did not provide evidence for the claims during his interaction with journalists.

The ASUU chairman further accused the former administration of resorting to police petitions instead of using internal mechanisms to resolve disputes. He said academic staff would resist what he described as further attempts to harass or intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.

Similarly, the FUOYE branch chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Comrade Oluwashola Babafemi, said members of the association gathered at Ogunwole’s residence in solidarity with him and to protect what he described as peace and progress within the university.

The branch secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Comrade Emmanuel Adegun, also confirmed that members were alerted to the presence of policemen at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and subsequently mobilised to show their support.

Ogunwole later urged staff members not to allow the incident to distract the university from its ongoing plans. The Vice-Chancellor said he remained committed to his administration’s reform agenda and the repositioning of FUOYE.

The circumstances surrounding the reported police action, including the petition and the legal dispute referenced by the Vice-Chancellor, remain contested by the parties involved, and the allegations made by the university staff have not been independently established in the reports reviewed.