Sequel to a petition forwarded to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), over the need to protect alleged victimised whistleblowers in the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Commission said it has written to the authorities of the school soliciting for comments on the allegations.

CSNAC, which is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption groups, had in letter dated November 15, 2016, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, urged the Commission to protect the three whistleblowers who were sacked from the institution after spearheading a petition to the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Olusola Oyewole. The petitioners had accused Prof. Oyewole of misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.

“The affected whistleblowers are Lasun Somoye, Abdulsalaam Sobbor and Bimbo Bankole and all members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

“In view of this, we hereby demand that the National Human Rights Commission use its office to protect the affected staff human rights as enshrined in the Constitution and African Charter on Human and People's Right,” CSNAC said in the petition.

In its response to the petition, the Human Rights Commission, in a letter dated December 21, 2016 with Reference No C/2016/1209590-1209611/HQ, signed by Mrs. Oluyemisi Akhile on behalf of the Acting Executive Secretary, said it has written to the institution for further details on the allegations.