Staff and students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, on Wednesday mobilised to the residence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, and prevented policemen from taking him away.
The incident occurred around 6:10am, prompting academic and non-academic staff as well as students to gather at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence in solidarity with him.
Speaking with journalists, Ogunwole said he went to bed around 3am but woke up after his children noticed security personnel outside their home.
He said he initially refused to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and wanted to know why they had arrived at his residence.
According to him, the policemen later told him they had a warrant, but he insisted on knowing the reason for the proposed arrest before leaving his home.
Ogunwole linked the incident to a petition allegedly filed by individuals associated with the university, including his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Kehinde Adeola.
He said the dispute stemmed from an audio recording that was allegedly leaked, after which the university management directed those involved to appear before an investigative committee.
The Vice-Chancellor said the matter later reached the court, while he also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace.
He said he had instructed his lawyers to contact the police and explain that the matter was already before the court.
Ogunwole added that he remained ready to respond to any lawful invitation from the police.
The Vice-Chancellor recalled that he had previously honoured a police invitation over another petition and spent several hours answering questions before authorities released him.
He questioned why the police could not have invited him instead of surrounding his residence.
“Somebody of my calibre would not run away anywhere. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me,” he said.
Ogunwole also insisted that the incident would not derail his administration’s plans for 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.
The FUOYE branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union mobilised to Ogunwole’s residence to oppose what he described as an attempt to intimidate the Vice-Chancellor.
Fagbuagun alleged that some individuals associated with the previous administration opposed reforms introduced by Ogunwole.
He also alleged irregularities during the previous administration, including “illegal promotion” and “mismanagement of funds”, although he did not provide evidence for the claims during the interview.
The FUOYE branch chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists, Oluwashola Babafemi, said members of the association went to the residence to protect what he described as the peace and progress of the university.
Babafemi said Ogunwole had remained accessible to staff and paid attention to their welfare.
Similarly, the FUOYE branch secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Emmanuel Adegun, said members received information that police officers had arrived at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and could take him away.
He said the union subsequently mobilised to the residence to express solidarity with Ogunwole.
The university’s Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Sunday Saanu, described the police action as “mischievous.”
Saanu said Ogunwole had previously honoured a police invitation and later instructed his lawyers to represent him.
“Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor instructed his lawyers to represent him. It was therefore shocking to see the police at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, saying they needed him,” he said.
