The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, has condemned the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Abayomi Fasina, for allegedly using the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Dr. Samuel Oyeyemi Agbeleoba, a journalist and General Manager of Our People’s FM.
The arrest, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, is reportedly linked to allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Prof. Fasina by Engineer Mrs. Adebayo, who is the sister of the detained journalist.
Addressing the press in Ado-Ekiti, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, condemned the act, described it as “deliberate harassment and victimisation of journalists.”
He warned that if Agbeleoba was not released within 24 hours, journalists in the state would blacklist FUOYE.
“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 and victimisation of a member of the union,” Babatuyi stated.
The NUJ demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Agbeleoba, citing that the use of security agencies to intimidate journalists undermines press freedom and justice.
Babatuyi said, “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 Oyeyemi Agbeleoba 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. Oyeyemi Agbeleoba is connected to the current sexual harassment saga against the VC of FUOYE, Prof. Fasina.
He said, “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 cyberbully to shut people will not be tolerated. It is an attempt to victimise and cover up the case. We want to prevail on the DSS to call the VC and his loyalists to order,” Babatuyi added.
SaharaReporters reported that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) abducted Dr. Samuel Oyeyemi Agbeleoba on the alleged orders of Prof Sunday Fasina.
The incident is linked to allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Fasina by Engineer Mrs. Adebayo, the sister of the abducted man.
Sources familiar with the matter claimed that Agbeleoba’s abduction was orchestrated to intimidate his sister, who had accused the vice-chancellor of persistent sexual advances and harassment.
“This is an attempt to silence Adebayo,” said a source at FUOYE who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
“If true, it shows a disturbing pattern of using state security agencies to cover up misconduct.”
A source had also told SaharaReporters that the DSS officers raided Agbeleoba’s house around 10pm on Tuesday in a Gestapo-style operation.
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