The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, has called for the immediate release of its member who was allegedly arrested and detained by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti following the arrest of one of its members, General Manager of Our People’s FM, Yemi Agbeleoba, the NUJ chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi said that Agbeleoba was arrested in the wee hours of same Wednesday by operatives of the DSS over the alleged sexual harassment scandal involving the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.
The Ekiti NUJ chairman, who described the arrest by the DSS as a deliberate harassment and victimization of journalists, condemned it in its entirety.
He called for the immediate release of Agbeleoba within 24 hours, warning that journalists in the state would blacklist FUOYE if the demand was not met.
“We want to call on the attention of the public and concerned stakeholders in our dear country to a situation that can be best described as deliberate harassment, victimization of a member of the union.
“Yesterday night, a member of our union, Dr. Agbeleoba was arrested by officers of DSS in his house. As much as we want to appreciate the DSS for professionalism that they’ve actually displayed, we express our deep concern and condemn the manner with which Dr Agbeleoba was arrested.
“The arrest brought a lot concerns and raised a lot of questions. We are concerned on why Agbeleoba has not been invited knowing fully well that he is a known personality in Ekiti State.
“We wonder the haste and what could have actually warranted the manner with which he was picked up at the night in his house yesterday.
“Today, we met with the Director of DSS and we can confirm to you that Yemi Agberioba is currently in the custody of DSS in Ado Ekiti.
“However, from all investigation and indications the union can confirm that the arrest of Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba is connected to the current sexual harassment saga against the VC of FUOYE, Prof. Fasina.
“During our chat with the Director, we were made to understand vividly that Agbeleoba was arrested because he suspected that he was one of the lead voices on the WhatsApp platform created in FUOYE which has, according to them being raising voice against the VC.
“The Union is calling on the management of FUOYE and DSS to release him with immediate effect. Hiding under cyber bully to shut people will not be tolerated. It is an attempt to victimize and cover up the case. We want to prevail on the DSS to call on the VC and his loyalist to order,” the Ekiti NUJ chairman said.
The Daily Crucible reports that FUOYE had yesterday said its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, had nothing to do with the arrest of Dr. Agbeleoba Opeyemi.
Agbeleoba is the younger brother of Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a FUOYE staff, who has accused Prof Fasina of sexual harassment.
The journalist was reportedly arrested by the operatives of DSS under unclear circumstances with the social media reports claiming that the VC engineered the arrest, ostensibly to suppress alleged audio recording that purportedly implicated him in the harassment case.
But, the FUOYE’s Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim in a statement on Wednesday, described the allegations as “false and misleading,” urging the public to disregard the claim as it was designed to malign the VC’s hard earned reputation and integrity.
However, The Daily Crucible further reports that the Governing Council of FUOYE had on Friday, January 24, constituted a 9 – member investigation committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment involving the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
The panel it was learnt, has Prof, Ogunwole Joshua, Hon Mrs Omoworare Nike, Mrs Nafisat Nahuche, Barrister Gowon Maxwell, Mr Mathew Nganjiozor
Mr Olusola O Taiwo, Prof. Ajiboye Abiodun, Mr Arogundade Tope and
Barrister L A Eni as members.
