Crime

Breeze FM Chairman, Tokunbo Opebi, Beats Staff Mercy Okafor for Resigning

Published by Tope Fakinlede on February 9th, 2025.

Breeze FM Chairman, Tokunbo Opebi, Beats Staff Mercy Okafor for Resigning

Tokunbo Opebi, the acting chairman of Breeze 91.9 FM, a radio station based in Akure, Ondo State, has been accused of physically attacking Mercy Okafor, a female staff member, after she submitted her resignation letter. The incident, which reportedly took place on Tuesday at the station’s premises on Ijoka Road, has highlighted concerns about abusive behavior by some media owners in Nigeria.

Sources close to the situation revealed that Mercy Okafor, initially hired as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, was offered permanent employment at the station after completing her service. Okafor, who is highly regarded for her talents and command of Yoruba despite being Igbo, was well-liked at the station. Her ability to speak Yoruba fluently earned her respect, especially after her mother, originally from Ile-Ife, helped her connect with the community.

When the station’s accountant, Bisola Agbayewa, went on maternity leave, Okafor was asked to temporarily fill the position. After the accountant resigned instead of returning from leave, Okafor was tasked with both accounting and working as an on-air personality (OAP). Despite her talents, it was noted that Breeze FM is known for offering poor pay, with some OAPs earning as little as 25,000 Naira per month, and temporary staff being paid as low as 10,000 Naira, far below the standards set by Nigerian labor laws and the Minimum Wage Act.

Workers often face delayed payments, with some staff members still waiting for their December wages as of February 2025. After receiving no resolution, Okafor chose to submit her resignation letter. When she handed over her company data, the situation escalated dramatically. According to sources, Tokunbo Opebi became enraged, telling her she should have stayed until a replacement was found, despite her prior notice. In a fit of anger, he allegedly struck Okafor in the head with his shoe and repeatedly assaulted her.

The altercation was only stopped when Bimpa Dele-Mogaji and Joyin Johnson intervened, helping to free Okafor from Opebi’s grip. The source claimed that Tokunbo has been responsible for many of the station’s ongoing problems, including irregular pay and allegations of intimidation against former employees. Workers who resign before the end of the month are reportedly denied their salary for that period, in violation of standard labor practices.

Following the assault, Mercy Okafor received medical treatment for internal injuries caused by the beating. Her family arrived in Akure on Thursday to take her to Ile-Ife for further care. Sources claim there were no allegations of financial misconduct against Okafor; instead, Tokunbo reportedly justified his violent reaction by claiming he was upset with the tone in which she responded to him.

Efforts to contact the general manager of Breeze FM, Sunday Ajongbolo, and acting chairman Tokunbo Opebi were unsuccessful.