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Adewunmi Oyekanmi’s Ordeal at the Beat 99.9FM, Olisa Adibua’s Apology – What Happens Next?

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We were shocked over the weekend when the news of the assault against Adewunmi Oyekanmi, a news editor by Olisa Adibua, Programme Director with the Beat 99.9FM in Lagos came to light via Linda Ikeji’s Blog, Stella Dimoko-Korkus’s Blog and TheNetNg.com

According to an eye-witness account of events via Linda Ikeji’s Blog;

Olisa Adibua, who is the Programmes Director for Beat 99.9 Fm and Naija FM and an OAP on Beat 99.9 Fm (Morning Rush – every morning Monday – Friday), came back to the office from the industry night event which he attended, found Adewunmi Oyekanmi, who is the night news editor at Naija Fm, sleeping on the couch and attacked him.

The young university undergraduate decided to catch some rest after doing his duties as a night news editor. Prior to the incident he had been warned by Olisa not to sleep on the couch in the office, and on this fateful early morning, he decided to catch a few winks. According to Dewunmi, he was woken by a heavy object hitting his head. Opening his eyes, he saw Olisa raining blows on him, kicking him and even smashed his phone on the ground, trampling it with his heel. Olisa also ripped his shirt off his body and kicked him off the premises of the office by 3am in the morning. Dewunmi was at the security post when members of staff resumed at dawn.

Below are the official statements from the Beat 99.9FM, the victim – Adewunmi Oyekanmi and the perpertrator – Olisa Adibua.

Adewunmi Oyekanmi

Olisa Adibua

The Beat 99.9FM’s Official Statement
The attention of the management of THE BEAT 99.9FM has been drawn to widespread online and social media reports, regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred between two members of our staff on THE BEAT FM 99.9 FM premises in the early hours of Thursday September 8, 2011.

The management team can confirm that there was an altercation between our Programmes Director Olisa Adibua and our editor Adewunmi Oyekanmi. We are fully investigating the incident and have placed Olisa Adibua on a four-week suspension as a precautionary measure while he cooperates fully with the investigation. Adewunmi Oyekanmi is also assisting us with the investigation.

As a responsible organisation, the management of THE BEAT 99.9FM condemns any form of violence, assault and abuse, and, will not condone any such act by ANY member of staff.
The BEAT of Lagos event that occurred on the 9th of September, in which Olisa co-hosted with our other BEAT 99.9 presenters, was a jointly staged event with a partner. This partner was made aware of the situation and still requested that we honour the existing contract with his firm which stated that all presenters, including Olisa Adibua, be present at the event.

We assure our listeners, friends, partners and all concerned parties that decisive actions will be taken, and enforced. The management of the BEAT 99.9FM is already putting in place measures to prevent a repeat of such an unfortunate incident.

Thank you for your understanding,

The Management
THE BEAT 99.9FM

Adewunmi Oyekanmi’s Official Statement
My name is Adewunmi Oyekanmi, news editor with the Beat 99.9 Fm.

An incident occurred at my work place within the early hours of the 8th of Sep 2011 between myself and another member of staff which has been blown out of proportion in the media.

I have been wrongfully quoted in various blogs and magazines, but this will be my first official statement and the last, so please disregard anything you might have seen, heard or read.

The incident in question has been dealt with to my satisfaction by the Management of Megalectrics, operators of The Beat 99.9 Fm, in a swift and conclusive manner.

The member of staff (Mr Olisa Adibua) with whom I had the altercation with, has duly apologized most sincerely and I have accepted, based on the fact that since I started working at the station, my relationship with the said party has always been cordial and friendly.

In reference to a purported conversation between myself and an undercover reporter, I’d like to state categorically that I have never had a phone conversation or granted any interview to any media or reporter.
What transpired was an internal matter which was leaked into the public domain to create division within our corporate entity. I refuse to be used as a pawn or be labelled ‘the voiceless or oppressed’.

Megalectrics, the operators of the beat 99.9fm employed me in the capacity of news editor in July 2010, and ever since I have had no cause to complain about the working environment, my colleagues or superiors.
We operate an open system where everyone is free to speak their minds, regardless of rank of hierarchy.
Once again, I’d like to reiterate that the matter has been resolved and the member of staff has apologized for the altercation we had.

In conclusion, I would like this issue to be extinguished so I can get back to my normal every day life, as the recent publications and rumors circulating have put a strain on my family and private life.
I would like to thank the management and staff of Megalectrics for the swift and decisive response to the matter. I would also like to thank everyone who showed concern. I’d like to reassure you that I am okay and in good health as is confirmed by my attached photo.

These are my final words on the subject.

Thank you very much and God bless.

Olisa Adibua’s Official Statement
As has been widely reported I was involved in an altercation with a work colleague during the week. I am deeply regretful of what transpired and have taken full responsibility for my actions. I have privately apologized to my colleague, the team that I work with and I am taking this opportunity to apologize to the public at large.
As humans we all make mistakes and I made a major one which is completely out of character. I over reacted to a situation and that is something that will never repeat itself.

Despite being at the centre of a media feeding frenzy, I’ve been silent in order to allow the organization, to which I’m affiliated with and at who’s premises the incident occurred, to carry out its investigations and come to a conclusion but most importantly to allow the aggrieved party (Mr. Adewunmi Oyekanmi) time to accept my heartfelt apology.

While the events have been distorted, I am very apologetic about the situation but picking holes in the media reports or pointing out the falsehoods will not be useful, however, any kind of loss of control is not excusable and I have since tendered an unreserved apology to ‘Dewunmi. I have always preached against violence and so this is a time for some reflection. Again, I apologize and I thank ‘Dewunmi for accepting my apology.

I would like to thank the hundreds of people who called me and those who sent in messages
For more than 20years now, I’ve operated in the Electronic media sector without a blemish but by this action, I have let myself down and most importantly I’ve let Family, Friends and the millions of people who look up to me, down.”
To those who have been clamoring for my response, I thank you for your patience and understanding.

Thank you very much and God Bless.

Olisa Adibua

****
The fact that this incident took place within a 21st century Nigerian workplace is absolutely mind boggling. It raises so many issues about the rights of Nigerians in and out of the workplace. Shocking violence against employees is rife in domestic environments; For example, read through any weekend edition of a Nigerian newspaper and you will find stories of househelps being tortured and drivers being slapped around. The incidences seem to be getting more frequent or maybe they are just being reported after years of silence…In the formal Nigerian workplace, we have heard stories of extreme bullying and harassment which seems to have escalated to violence.

Kudos to social media including the bloggers and “tweeters” who compelled the stakeholders to apologize. That said, if this truly happened as described, is an apology enough?

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