By Hassan Zaggi
Following the false allegations raised against the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, the Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), has called on the security agencies in the state to investigate the allegation and punish severely those raising the false claim.
COPIN therefore, cautioned individuals and organisations in Kogi state against attempts at pulling down leaders occupying positions of responsibility.
The provocative and false report was published on Saturday, February 12, 2022, in an online medium based in Lokoja.
While describing the allegations as false, satanic and “spurious”, as well as a “campaign of calumny,” COPIN regretted that it is aimed at denigrating the person and office of the VC of Federal University, Lokoja.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Akwuobi Emeka, COPIN, therefore, called on security agencies to immediately commence investigation into the case and invite authors of the report for thorough investigation and prosecution.
The statement reads: “In the report that smacks of pitiable lack of rudimentary knowledge of syntax, as well as composition, the promoters of the platform tried to dress the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, in an amorous garb, ostensibly to justify the hatchet job handed them by their paymasters.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the deliberate attempt to drag the hard-earned name of a reformist-academic through the mud, considering the fact that COPIN is a non-profit, peace advocacy group championing the course of a united Nigeria founded on ‘unity in diversity’, religious tolerance, electoral integrity, and democratic stability.
“We are, however, constrained by the fact that this vexatious report, if not challenged by well-meaning organisations, groups, and individuals, has the potential of discouraging reform-minded administrators from executing result-oriented programmes.
“It is against this backdrop, that we call on relevant security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, investigate the allegations against the VC of FUL.
“We urge the authorities to, without further delay, invite – for questioning – authors of the story in a bid to establish its veracity, or otherwise.
“We respectfully demand that the promoters of the piece be made to identify the anonymous ‘female student’ of the university, who was said to have volunteered information on the alleged misconduct of Prof. Akinwumi, as well as owners, or management of ‘Ganaja hotel’.
“Without prejudice to the anticipated probe, we make bold to say that Prof. Akinwumi is a man of resilience, who has worked so hard to earn a pedigree and good name for himself.”
