The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Professor Abayomi Fasina, has denied ordering the arrest of the leaders of the university’s chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
Speaking with select reporters on Monday evening, Professor Fasina said since he resumed office last week Monday he has been concerned on how to achieve lasting piece on the campus despite alleged provocations from certain quarters.
He said he was out of Ekiti State when he heard that SSANU leaders were allegedly detained by the police in the state, and “I immediately called on the Police Commissioner to seek clarifications and eventually appealed for their release.”
He said there was no basis for him to call on the police to arrest anyone, insisting that what preocupies his mind now is ensuring peaceful atmosphere on the campus towards achieving smooth operation.
He said: “Except they want to be unfair to me. As soon as I resumed office I approved the payment of the relocation allowance for these workers. About N160 million was released for that purpose. In fact, that of the academic staff is yet to be resolved. So how can I be the one responsible for any arrest again.”
He appealed to the workers and students to prioritise dialogue over violence, saying the university is bigger than anyone.
SSANU had on Monday alerted the public that its leaders were arrested by the Police Command in Ekiti State, calling on stakeholders including the national leadership of the union to intervene.
According to a statement credited to the Vice Chairman of the union on the campus, Mr Olausi Simeon, five members of the union were arrested by police.
Those arrested, according to Mr Olausi’ statement are Comrade Faleye Benjamin, who is the chairman of the chapter, and Comrades Ademola Mutiu, Oyelude Yekeen, Aluko Ayomikun, and Nwokeke Barnabas.
Mr Olausi said the arrest was in response to a petition allegedly authored by the institution’s chief security officer as reportedly ordered by Professor Fasina.
In the statement with the title: Notice to All SSANU FUOYE Members and the University Community,” Mr Olausi said the development is concerning and unacceptable.
He said it is a direct attack on “unionism, workers’ rights, and freedom of association as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and Labour Laws.”
But in an interview with an online newspaper, DevReporting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, DSP Sunday Abutu, denied the arrest of the union leaders.
According to Mr Abutu, the unionists were invited over “certain issues,” and were later released.
“The police did not arrest them, they were invited over certain developments, and they have been asked to go,” Mr Abutu told the newspaper.
