An early-morning police operation at the official residence of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has opened another chapter in an already heated dispute within the institution.
Police officers reportedly arrived at Professor Joshua Ogunwole’s residence in Ado-Ekiti at about 6:10am on Wednesday.
The arrival quickly drew academic and non-academic staff as well as students to the residence.
ValidViewNetwork reports that Ogunwole said his children alerted him after noticing security personnel outside the residence.
WHAT THE VC SAID HAPPENED
Ogunwole said he had gone to bed at about 3am and was awakened by his children. He said he initially remained inside because he could not immediately confirm whether the men outside were genuine police officers.
According to him, the officers later identified themselves and said they had an arrest warrant.
The Vice-Chancellor said he wanted to know the reason for the proposed arrest before leaving his residence. He also said he remained available to honour any lawful invitation.
“Someone of my standing has no reason to run away. Instead of surrounding my residence, there are proper ways to invite me,” he said.
THE DISPUTE BEHIND THE INCIDENT
The Vice-Chancellor linked the police action to a dispute involving an allegedly leaked audio recording and petitions involving people connected to the university.
He named his predecessor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, and former Faculty of Law Dean, Dr Kehinde Adeola, among people allegedly connected to the dispute.
Ogunwole said university management had asked those involved to appear before an investigative committee and explain the circumstances surrounding the recording.
He said the matter subsequently went to court.He also said he had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace.
ValidViewNetwork reports that these are the Vice-Chancellor’s claims, and the allegations concerning other individuals have not been independently established as facts.
STAFF AND STUDENTS MOBILISE
The FUOYE branch of ASUU said it mobilised after learning about the reported police action.Its chairman, Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, alleged that individuals connected with the former administration opposed Ogunwole’s reforms.
He also made allegations concerning promotions and university funds, although the report noted that evidence supporting those claims was not provided during the interaction with journalists.
The FUOYE branch of the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, also expressed support for the Vice-Chancellor. Its chairman, Oluwashola Babafemi, said members wanted to protect peace and progress within the institution.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, also mobilised.
UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT REACTS
FUOYE Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Dr Sunday Saanu, criticised the police action. He said the Vice-Chancellor had previously honoured a police invitation and questioned why officers subsequently arrived at his residence.
Saanu said Ogunwole later instructed his lawyers to represent him in the matter.
The Vice-Chancellor subsequently urged workers not to allow the incident to distract them from the university’s work.
ValidViewNetwork reports that Ogunwole said his administration remained committed to its plans to reform and reposition the university.
The FUOYE dispute demonstrates why disagreements involving senior officials, former office holders and other stakeholders must be handled through clear institutional and legal procedures.
Where an issue is already before a court, the judicial process should be allowed to determine the disputed questions.
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Police action, where required by law, should also follow due process and clearly established procedures.
At the same time, personal disagreements between individuals should never be allowed to disrupt the smooth running of a university serving thousands of students and staff.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the wider public interest in the FUOYE matter is therefore not merely who wins an institutional disagreement, but whether the dispute can be resolved lawfully without compromising the stability and academic responsibilities of the university.
