Some staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), prevented an attempt by some policemen to arrest the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday.
The development drew members of the university community, including academic, non-academic staff and students to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, where they gathered in solidarity and opposed the alleged arrest attempt by the policemen.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Ogunwole said the policemen arrived at his official residence around 6:10am.
Ogunwole said his children woke him up after noticing the security personnel around the house. He said he initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to establish the reason for their presence.
‘The police team later told me that they had a warrant, but I insisted that I will not leave the house without first being properly informed of the basis of the arrest.’
FUOYE Vice Chancellor linked the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals connected with the university, including the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Kehinde Adeola.
According to him, the dispute arose from an audio recording which he alleged had leaked and which prompted the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee to explain its contents.
According to him, the matter had subsequently gone to court, while he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as threats to his life and workplace.
Prof. Ogunwole said he had instructed his lawyers to approach the police to explain that the matter was already before the court and that he was available to respond to any lawful invitation.
He said, ‘There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute.’
Reacting, the Director of Public Affairs and Communication FUOYE, Dr. Sunday Saanu, described the police action as mischievous, saying the Vice Chancellor had earlier honoured the police invitation, ‘ on account of a spurious petition written by some elements in the system.’
‘Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor instructed his lawyers to represent him. It was therefore shocking to see the police in the Vice-Chancellor residence, saying they needed him.
‘While addressing the workers on Wednesday, the Vice-Chancellor said his administration would not be distracted by the noise in the marketplace.’
According to the VC, ‘This is a passing phase. FUOYE will rise beyond the current resistance of the forces of darkness.’
Also speaking, the FUOYE branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union was at the residence to oppose what he described as attempts to intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.