The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has dismissed reports claiming that its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, was arrested and detained by the police in Abuja over his role in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
The university described the reports as fake, insisting that Ogunwole is a free man and has neither been arrested nor questioned by any security agency.
The controversy erupted after reports circulated on social media alleging that the professor had been taken into custody following his role as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chief Returning Officer for the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Ogunwole was the official who announced the final result of the closely watched election, declaring the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, the winner after he secured the highest number of votes.
However, FUOYE said there was no truth in claims that the returning officer was subsequently arrested or detained in connection with the election.
In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Dr Sunday Saanu, described the reports as “entirely false, baseless, and deliberately fabricated.”
Saanu said Ogunwole had not been arrested, detained or invited by the police or any other security agency, either over his election assignment or any other matter.
According to him, the VC successfully carried out his duties as INEC’s Returning Officer before returning to his university responsibilities.
The university explained that Ogunwole travelled from Oye-Ekiti to Abuja on Monday, shortly after the election, but said the trip had nothing to do with any police investigation.
Rather, FUOYE said he was in the Federal Capital Territory to attend to important administrative and institutional matters concerning the university.
The management said it was particularly concerned that the false reports could create unnecessary panic among staff, students, residents of Osun State and members of the public, especially coming so soon after a politically charged election.
It condemned the circulation of what it called fabricated information and urged the public not to believe unverified claims being circulated online.
FUOYE stressed that Ogunwole remained at liberty, was fully engaged in his official duties and continued to oversee the affairs of the university.
The university therefore urged members of the public to disregard the arrest story and rely on official channels for information concerning its Vice-Chancellor and other senior officials.
The denial comes amid heightened public interest in developments surrounding the Osun election, which was keenly contested and followed by various claims and counterclaims from political actors and supporters.
FUOYE said it would continue to provide accurate information on matters concerning the institution and its leadership.
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