The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the actions of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the arrest of a journalist following reports of sexual harassment allegations within the institution.
According to the NUJ, the arrest of the journalist, who was covering a story on sexual misconduct allegations against the university management, represents a clear attack on press freedom. The union expressed deep concern over the use of state security agencies to silence investigative journalism, calling it an abuse of power that threatens democracy.
Reports indicate that the journalist was detained after publishing an investigative report that exposed claims of harassment involving high-ranking officials in the university. Media rights groups have described the incident as an attempt to intimidate the press and suppress information that is of public interest. NUJ leaders have demanded the immediate release of the journalist and an apology from both the university and the DSS.
The union has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protect press freedom and ensure that security agencies are not used as tools for personal vendettas. Stakeholders in the media industry have also called for a thorough investigation into the sexual harassment allegations, emphasizing the need for accountability within the institution.
The case has sparked outrage among civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the academic community. Many have criticized the growing trend of using security agencies to silence journalists, warning that such actions undermine transparency and weaken democratic institutions.
As pressure mounts, NUJ insists that justice must prevail, both for the journalist and for the alleged victims of sexual harassment. The union reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and holding those in power accountable.
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