FUOYE staff block reported police attempt to arrest vice-chancellor

Staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti gathered at Vice-Chancellor Joshua Ogunwole’s residence in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday after he said police officers had arrived there and attempted to arrest him. The university community opposed the reported arrest. Ogunwole said the officers reached his official residence at about 6:10 a.m., shortly after he had gone to bed.

He said his children alerted him after seeing security personnel around the house. He initially declined to come outside because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to know why they were there. The vice-chancellor said the team later told him it had a warrant.

He maintained that he would not leave without being properly informed of the basis for the arrest. He linked the development to a petition allegedly written by people connected with the university, including his immediate predecessor, Abayomi Fasina, and a former Faculty of Law dean, Kehinde Adeola. Ogunwole said the dispute concerned an audio recording that had allegedly leaked.

He said university management had asked those involved to appear before an investigative committee, and that the matter had subsequently gone to court. He also said he had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace. He said his lawyers had contacted the police to explain that the matter was before the court and that he was available to respond to a lawful invitation.

Ogunwole said he had previously attended a police interview with his lawyers and had been released on self-recognisance. FUOYE’s ASUU branch chairman, Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union had mobilised to oppose what he described as intimidation. He alleged that people linked to the previous administration opposed changes under Ogunwole, while making unsubstantiated claims about irregular promotions and fund management.

Representatives of NAAT and NASU also said they had gathered to support the vice-chancellor and preserve peace at the university. The supplied material does not include a statement from the police or the individuals named by Ogunwole in response to the allegations.