* ‘We Will Not Be Distracted From Reforming Fuoye’
THE university community, comprising students and staff of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Wednesday morning, September 30, foiled an attempt by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command to arrest and take away their Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Ogunwole, from his Ado-Ekiti residence.
News of the operation spread across the campus when Ogunwole raised an alarm that policemen had surrounded his residence for an unclear mission, drawing sympathy from the university community, including academic and non-academic staff and students, who opposed the arrest.
He alleged that policemen stormed his official residence in Ado-Ekiti over a petition linked to his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and a former dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Kehinde Adeola.
Armed operatives of the Lagos Police Command stormed Ogunwole’s residence on Wednesday morning, September 30, to arrest him over the petitions.
The operatives reportedly arrived at the vice chancellor’s quarters about 6:20am and forced their way into the compound, creating tension among residents and university officials.
They was said to have upon gaining access to the premises, threatened to shoot the resident guard dogs to neutralise any resistance, indicating that their intention was to take Ogunwole into custody and transport him to Lagos.
The development reportedly triggered swift mobilisation within the university community as news of the operation spread across the campus, with some staff and students thwarting the attempt.
The vice chancellor had raised an alarm that policemen had surrounded his residence for an unclear mission, drawing sympathy from the university community, including academic and non-academic staff and students, who opposed the arrest.
Ogunwole later told journalists that the policemen arrived at his official residence around 6:10am, shortly after he had gone to bed at about 3am, and that 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, noting that the team later told him they had a warrant, but he insisted he would not leave the house without first being properly informed of the basis of the arrest.
Ogunwole linked the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals, including Fasina and Adeola over an audio recording he alleged had leaked, prompting the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee to explain its contents.
The vice chancellor stated that the matter had subsequently gone to court, while he had also petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over threats to his life and workplace, even as 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 he had previously honoured a Police invitation in connection with an earlier petition, in company with his lawyers, and was questioned from morning till evening before being released on self-recognisance.
Ogunwole believed the latest development could have been handled through an invitation, rather than surrounding his residence, adding: “Somebody of my calibre would not run away anywhere.
“Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me.”
He expressed confident in the rule of law, saying he would continue with his administration’s plans to reposition the university, adding: “There is no turning back; our mission to create a new face for FUOYE.
“No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute.”
It was gathered that following the Osun State governorship elections, Ogunwole was detained on the directive of the IGP over a separate petition by the same individuals, but was subsequently released on bail on personal recognisance.
Despite this, the complainants allegedly submitted another petition to the Lagos State Police Command, leading to the Wednesday morning operation.
