A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Wednesday as staff and students prevented police officers from arresting the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at his residence in Ado-Ekiti. The Vice-Chancellor had alerted the university community that police had surrounded his residence, prompting a show of solidarity from academic and non-academic staff and students. The development led to a tense standoff between the police and the university community.
According to Prof. Ogunwole, the police officers arrived at his official residence around 6:10 am, shortly after he had gone to bed. His children woke him up after noticing the security personnel around the house. Initially, he declined to come out, unsure if the men were genuine police officers, and wanted to establish the reason for their presence. The police team later claimed to have a warrant for the arrest.
The Vice-Chancellor insisted that he would not leave the house without being properly informed of the basis of the arrest. He linked the attempted arrest 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. The dispute arose from an audio recording that had leaked.
The university management had asked those involved to appear before an investigative committee to explain the contents of the recording. The matter had subsequently gone to court, with Ogunwole also petitioning the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace. The Vice-Chancellor had instructed his lawyers to approach the police to explain that the matter was already before the court.
The police were informed that Ogunwole was available to respond to any lawful invitation. The university community's swift response to the attempted arrest demonstrated their solidarity with the Vice-Chancellor. Students and staff gathered at his residence, opposing the alleged arrest. The incident has raised concerns about the security and stability of the university.
The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, has been embroiled in controversy in recent times. The leaked audio recording and subsequent petition have created tension within the university community. The Vice-Chancellor's allegations of threats to his life and workplace have added to the concerns. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of the police in university affairs.
The university has not officially commented on the incident. However, the Vice-Chancellor's account of events suggests that the police attempted to arrest him without proper justification. The incident has highlighted the need for greater transparency and communication between the university administration and law enforcement agencies.
Key points
- University staff and students prevented police from arresting the Vice Chancellor
- The attempted arrest was linked to a petition by some university individuals
- The incident raised concerns about university security and stability
