Staff members and students of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Wednesday, protested an alleged attempt by some policemen to arrest the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at his residence in Ado-Ekiti
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the staff members – both academic and non-academic – and students had mobilised to the vice-chancellor’s residence, following reports that policemen had moved there to effect his arrest.
Ogunwole, while speaking with newsmen, said the policemen arrived at his official residence at about 6:10 a.m., adding that his children had to wake him after noticing the presence of security personnel around the house.
He said that he had initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and was wondering what could have prompted their presence.
The vice-chancellor said that the team later informed him that they had a warrant, adding, however, that he insisted on being properly informed of the basis for the arrest.
While linking the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals connected with the university, Ogunwole said the dispute followed an audio recording which allegedly got leaked.
This, he said, prompted the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee.
The vice-chancellor added that the matter had been taken to court and that he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace.
He said that he had instructed his lawyers to approach the police to explain that the matter was already before the court, stressing that he remained available to respond to any lawful invitation.
“Somebody of my calibre will not run away. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me,” he said.
Ogunwole, who recalled honouring an earlier police invitation with his lawyers, said he remained confident in the rule of law and would continue with his administration’s plans to reposition the university.
“There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute,” he said.
Also speaking, the FUOYE branch Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union was at Ogunwole’s residence to protest what he described as an attempt to intimidate the vice-chancellor.
Fagbuagun pointed fingers at some individuals who, he said, were opposed the changes being introduced by Ogunwole’s administration as being behind the attempted arrest.
He accused some unnamed persons of irregularities, including illegal promotion, abnormal promotion and mismanagement of funds.
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“We are here this morning to show the whole world that our VC cannot be intimidated. The union will resist further attempts to harass or intimidate the vice-chancellor,” he said.
Also, Chairman of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), FUOYE branch, Mr Oluwashola Babafemi, said members were at the residence to protect the peace and progress of the university.
Babafemi said that the vice-chancellor had made himself accessible to staff members and paid attention to their welfare.
“We don’t want anything capable of disrupting the university’s current direction,” he stated.
Similarly, the Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), FUOYE branch, Mr Emmanuel Adegun, said members decided to mobilise to Ogunwole’s residence after being alerted that policemen had arrived and might take him.(NAN)
