The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State chapter, has raised the alarm over alleged attempt by the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, FUOYE, and its vice chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, to silence its members on the sexual harassment saga in the institution.
The union raised the alarm on Wednesday during a press conference addressed by its chairman, Mr. Kayode Babatuyi, over the arrest of one of its members, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba, by the Directorate of State Security, DSS.
Babatuyi said although the DSS said Agbeleoba was arrested in connection with cyber-bullying, investigation by the NUJ had shown that the arrest had to do with the ongoing probe of sexual harassment at FUOYE, involving its vice chancellor, Fasina.
The NUJ chairman therefore called on the state government and the management of FUOYE to urgently intervene to ensure the release of Agbeleoba.
According to the union, it had become apparent that the authority was only hiding under the excuse of cyber-bullying to silence the press over the alleged sexual harassment case against Fasina.
He warned that the NUJ would not tolerate the harassment or molestation of any of its members under any false guise.
He said that the union was ready for a showdown with the institution if its member held by the DSS was not released.
The statement by the chairman of the union reads in part:
“We met with the Director of the DSS in Ekiti State, Mr. Godwin Eze, and he confirmed they arrested Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba.
“As much as we want to appreciate the DSS for the professional manner with which they handled him, we are unhappy the way he was arrested yesterday night. We believe he should have been invited, being a well known personality in Ekiti State.
“However, during our investigation, we found out that Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba was arrested based on allegation that a WhatsApp platform was created which he is a member, which according to them (DSS), was involved in cyberbullying of some personalities within the university community. No name was mentioned, but the investigation by the union confirmed that the situation is connected to the current sexual harassment saga involving the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Abayomi Fasina.
“It is on this note that the union is calling on the management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, and the DSS to release Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba with immediate effect. This is Nigeria. We cannot turn our country to a lawless society. People must be allowed to talk. Hiding under cyber-bullying to shut people up will not be tolerated. We totally condemn the arrest of Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba because to us, it is unnecessary. It is an attempt to silence, to victimize and cover up on the current case happening in the university.
“We want to call on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and prevail on the DSS to ensure the release of Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba without further delay…
“Journalists have worked hard promoting the image of the university. It is quite unfortunate that we are paid with the arrest of our members on a frivolous matter. We call on well-meaning Nigerians to call on the vice chancellor and his loyalists to ensure the release of Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba. Gone are the days when the union is seen as a dog that can only bark but cannot bite. The current leadership of NUJ will not tolerate harassment or molestation of our members.”
