The acting chairman of Breeze 91.9 FM, Mr. Tokunbo Opebi, has been accused of physically assaulting a former staff member, Mercy Okafor, after she submitted her resignation letter.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday at the radio station’s premises along Ijoka Road in Akure, has sparked outrage, highlighting concerns over the treatment of media workers in Nigeria.
From NYSC to Dual Roles at the Station
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Okafor initially joined Breeze FM as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member before being offered a permanent position due to her exceptional skills. Despite being Igbo, Okafor holds a degree in Yoruba Language, a proficiency that made her a standout broadcaster.
“She was a major asset to the station. Her command of Yoruba and her on-air personality attracted a lot of listeners. They practically begged her to stay after her service,” a source said.
Her responsibilities at the station reportedly increased after the station’s accountant, Bisola Agbayewa, went on maternity leave. Okafor was asked to fill in temporarily but remained in the role after Agbayewa resigned. This left her juggling duties as both an accountant and an on-air personality (OAP).
Poor Working Conditions at Breeze FM
Reports indicate that Breeze FM offers one of the lowest salary structures for radio staff in Ondo State, with some OAPs earning as little as ₦25,000 per month, while temporary staff receive as little as ₦10,000—far below the national minimum wage. Salaries are allegedly delayed for months, with some employees still awaiting full payment for December 2024 as of February 5, 2025.
Assault Following Resignation
Frustrated by the working conditions, Okafor reportedly submitted her resignation letter and officially handed over company materials. However, this allegedly angered the acting chairman, who insisted she should have stayed until a replacement was found. When she reminded him that she had given prior notice, an argument ensued.
Eyewitnesses claim that Opebi removed his shoe and struck Okafor on the head before launching multiple punches at her. It reportedly took the intervention of two staff members, Bimpa Dele-Mogaji and Joyin Johnson, to rescue her from the attack.
“She had already informed them about her resignation, but because they ignored it, they now wanted to force her to stay. When she refused, Tokunbo lost control and started attacking her,” a witness recounted.
A Pattern of Alleged Abuse
The incident has reignited concerns over Opebi’s leadership at the station. Former employees accuse him of withholding salaries, intimidating staff, and using the police to detain those who resign.
“If you resign before the end of the month, you will never get your salary for that month or any outstanding pay,” another source claimed.
Following the assault, Okafor reportedly sustained internal injuries and received medical treatment. Her mother and relatives arrived in Akure on Thursday to take her back to Ile-Ife for further care.
“No allegations of financial misconduct were made against her. Tokunbo simply said he beat her because he didn’t like her tone,” the source added.
Attempts to reach the station’s general manager, Sunday Ajongbolo, and the acting chairman, Tokunbo Opebi, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
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