New evidence has come to light implicating Michael Gbelela, a Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) lecturer, for his attempt to extort N500 from students.

FIJ earlier published audio evidence of Akindele Omotosho, another Yabatech lecturer, compelling a student to pay N500 for what he described as payment for dockets.

These dockets, FIJ independently verified, were supposed to be free.

Following the publication, FIJ learnt that Gbelela, the course adviser of Higher National Diploma 2 (HND 2) full-time Mass Communication students, made a similar demand on September 20.

On that day, Gbelela sent a message to a WhatsApp group of students. His message read, “With 500(sic) in hand, The following students should see me for the collection of the examination docket.”

He then sends a list containing the last two numbers of students’ matriculation numbers.

READ MORE: Yabatech Lecturer Akindele Omotosho Extorts ‘Ordinary N500’ From Students ‘for Dockets’

Sources say Gbelela told a student that he only demanded payment from students he believed would not challenge the decision.

A while after sending this public message and facing criticism, he returned to withdraw his instruction. He announced dockets were free.

His message read, “Good afternoon, students. I have been instructed to tell those whose dockets are out to go and register and click on the edit link. I hope I have made myself clear. Docket collection is free courtesy of Dami Jaiyesinmi.”

Gbelela denies he demanded N500 but does not comment on the messages backing up the claim.

When FIJ called him on Sunday, he said he does not recall sending the messages, and said he was instructed to get the students to pick up their dockets.

FIJ asked who gave him this instruction, but he would not say. FIJ read the contents of his messages to him, but he maintained he did not remember them.

Afterwards, FIJ sent copies to his WhatsApp contact that had the same number and display picture as seen in the screenshots, but as of press time, he had not reacted to them.