The management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has denied claims that its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, was behind the arrest and detention of some leaders of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in the institution.
In a statement issued on Monday, the university described the allegation as “misleading and entirely baseless,” clarifying that Professor Fasina was on official duty in Abuja at the time of the incident and had no authority to direct police operations.
According to the university, the Vice-Chancellor was at the Nigerian Law School in Abuja for the accreditation of FUOYE’s law students when the police invited the union leaders over a reported security threat to the campus.
The statement explained that a security report had indicated plans by some SSANU members to disrupt the Vice-Chancellor’s return to office on October 14, 2025, after a six-month accumulated leave.
Acting on the intelligence, the police invited the union leaders for questioning on October 13, but they reportedly said they were out of Ekiti State at the time.
However, when the VC eventually resumed, tensions heightened as about ten SSANU members, led by Mr. Benjamin Faleye, allegedly disrupted a meeting with the university community and threatened that the Vice-Chancellor “would not be allowed to work and walk around the university.”
Following the incident, the university security unit filed a report identifying the union members’ conduct as a potential threat to peace on campus. When the union leaders later reported to the police, investigations revealed that they became unruly and refused to cooperate, prompting their brief detention.
A police source quoted in the statement confirmed that the invitation was part of routine measures to maintain public order and that “no individual is above the law.”
Contrary to the union’s claims, the university disclosed that upon learning of their detention, Professor Fasina personally contacted the Commissioner of Police and appealed for their immediate release, which was subsequently granted.
“The VC was away at the Nigeria Law School when he heard that some union leaders had been invited by the police. Associating him with their detention is misleading and entirely baseless,” the statement read.
The management condemned the conduct of the union officials, describing their actions as “a disgrace in an academic environment,” and reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, staff welfare, and institutional progress.
FUOYE further urged all members of the university community to embrace peace, collaboration, and constructive engagement rather than spreading falsehoods that could disrupt the institution’s stability.