Alleged extortion: FUOYE deputy dean claims suspension pre-planned

Dr. Banji Olaleye, the suspended Deputy Dean of Student Affairs at Federal University Oye-Ekiti, asserts that his suspension over alleged extortion was orchestrated long before any investigation commenced. He claims the university's current administration has been actively seeking his removal since February.

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Those claims are false.

Olaleye maintains that his suspension, which preceded the investigation into the allegations, was a calculated move to damage his reputation. He stated that the current administration made it clear from its inception that it did not want to work with him, believing he did not support the incumbent Vice-Chancellor's rise to power. "We have had a new administration since February. Since then, the present administration has always told people that it doesn’t want to have anything to do with me because it feels I did not support its emergence," Olaleye said.

He explained that he had anticipated leaving his position at the end of July when the tenure of political appointees was scheduled to expire. The controversy surrounding entrepreneurship fees, he clarified, stemmed from a disagreement between the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and the Dean of Student Affairs regarding practical sessions for students. Olaleye stressed he had no official role in the program's financial collection.

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We have had a new administration since February. Since then, the present administration has always told people that it doesn’t want to have anything to do with me because it feels I did not support its emergence.

His involvement, he said, began only after Professor Temitope Babalola, the Dean of Student Affairs, asked him to mediate a dispute between the directorate and student leaders over the collection of N1,000 from students. Following meetings, Olaleye contacted the Director of Entrepreneurship, who explained that funds for practical sessions were delayed by the university management, necessitating direct fee collection from students. Olaleye was then asked to help ensure collected funds were remitted, leading to the recovery of approximately N2.5 million.

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I am not a kingmaker. I don’t put somebody there as the VC.