The Federal University, Oye- Ekiti has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against media outlets and publishers disseminating reports that connect its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, alongside other key principal officers, to alleged cybercrime activities. Management condemned the publications as deliberate attempts to damage the reputation of both the administration and the academic institution by treating unverified assertions as factual occurrences.
According to an official release issued by the university's registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, legal representatives of the institution are currently scrutinizing the contentious reports. Publishers behind the stories are expected to receive formal inquiries demanding clear justifications and verifiable proof to substantiate their claims. The university cautioned that a failure to provide adequate evidence or a reasonable explanation would trigger legal action, encompassing both civil lawsuits and potential criminal charges where applicable under Nigerian law.
What led to the cybercrime controversy?
The university firmly stated that Professor Ogunwole has never been indicted or convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction for offenses relating to the unlawful interception of private discussions, unauthorized access to electronic data, or the tampering of communication gadgets. Furthermore, the institution categorically refuted claims that the Vice-Chancellor engaged in phone hacking, intercepted private messaging, or manipulated electronic files belonging to third parties.
Clarifying the origin of the controversy, the statement explained that the issue stems from an audio recording that was already circulating widely across public domains prior to the awareness of the university administration. Management emphasized that neither the institution nor the Vice-Chancellor initiated the recording or propagated its circulation.
Why did the Vice-Chancellor become involved?
The audio subsequently generated internal administrative interest within the university framework, prompting management to request formal explanations from individuals linked to the situation. Professor Ogunwole's involvement was strictly tied to his administrative obligations as the head of the institution, with institutional records confirming no personal culpability in obtaining, recording, or altering private conversations.
University officials reiterated that spreading unfounded allegations undermines the stability and public image of the academic community. The institution urged media platforms to exercise journalistic due diligence and refrain from publishing defamatory claims without concrete backing.