FUOYE community blocks alleged police attempt to detain vice-chancellor

Staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, prevented what Vice-Chancellor Joshua Ogunwole described as an attempted police arrest at his official residence on Wednesday. Ogunwole said officers arrived at about 3 a.m., shortly after he had gone to bed. His children alerted him after seeing security personnel around the residence, and he raised an alarm that the house had been surrounded.

Members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff and students, gathered at the residence. Ogunwole said he initially refused to come outside because he was uncertain whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to know the reason for the alleged arrest. He said the team later told him it had a warrant, but he would not leave without being properly informed of the basis for the action.

Ogunwole linked the episode to a petition allegedly written by people connected with the university, including former vice-chancellor Abayomi Fasina and former law dean Kehinde Adeola. According to Ogunwole, the dispute followed the alleged leak of an audio recording. University management had asked those involved to appear before an investigative committee, and the matter had subsequently gone to court.

He said he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats. The vice-chancellor said his lawyers had told police that the case was before the court and that he was available to respond to a lawful invitation. He said he had previously honoured a police invitation and been questioned before being released on self-recognisance.

FUOYE public affairs director Sunday Saanu called the police action mischievous. The Academic Staff Union of Universities branch chairman, Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union opposed what he described as intimidation. Ekiti police spokesperson Sunday Abutu promised a response but had not provided one by the time of publication.