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December 2, 2024
The allegations were reportedly made by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE branch, on November 30, 2024.
Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has denied accusations of sexual harassment, victimisation, abuse of office, and corruption.
The allegations were reportedly made by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE branch, on November 30, 2024.
In a statement through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Professor Fasina stated that the Nigeria Police Force had already investigated the allegations of sexual harassment since 2023.
Adegboruwa noted that the police findings, which addressed the allegations comprehensively, concluded that there was no merit to the accusations made against the Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Fasina urged those dissatisfied with the investigation’s conclusions to respect the legal process.
The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the continued publication of these allegations, despite the police’s exoneration, is detrimental to his reputation and the university’s integrity.
In November, SaharaReporters reported that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the Federal University Oye Ekiti branch, petitioned the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, urging him to take immediate action to address allegations of sexual harassment, victimisation, and other governance irregularities at the institution.
In a letter signed by SSANU Chairman, Benjamin Faleye, and the branch secretary, Ayomikun Aluko, the union had detailed troubling accusations against the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fasina, including claims of sexual harassment and victimisation brought forward by Engr. Mrs. F. Adebayo, the former Director of the Works and Services Unit.
Speaking for the VC, Adegboruwa wrote, "We wish to state for the record that the Nigerian police carried out its investigations of the allegations of alleged sexual harassment and victimisiation of Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo, abuse of office and official corruption, directed at the Vice-Chancellor to which a final and conclusive investigative report absolving the Vice-Chancellor has been released. This is conclusive of these allegations.
"All aggrieved persons are thus advised to accept and work with the findings and conclusions of the police. In the course of the police investigation, it was settled unequivocally that there are no evidence of infractions by the Vice–Chancellor (and his management team) on fraud, fraudulent practices, official corruption, inflation of contract amongst other crimes alleged in the petition made against the Vice– Chancellor.
"As a matter of fact, Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo expressly and voluntarily concurred in writing to the ABSENCE of any sexual harassment or advances by the Vice – Chancellor against her person."
According to Adegboruwa, "One then wonders what other statutory/ enforcement role should be carried further in respect of the same allegations of sexual harassment and victimization under reference, when the Nigeria Police Force, as statutorily mandated under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020 in carrying out its duties to prevent and detect crimes, has fulfilled the constitutional duties and covered the field as required by law over the now spent allegations and claims under reference.
"This also extends to the professed allegation of abuse of office, financial mismanagement and failure to comply with university service schemes all of which have previously been submitted to the office of the Pro-Chancellor of the Institution for investigation to which the Vice–Chancellor has not been found wanting in carrying out his duties, a confirmation of the Vice – Chancellor’s adherence to the principles of good governance and due process."
He said, "Hence, these false accusations that have already been independently reviewed by the Institution’s Governing Council, headed by the erstwhile Pro–Chancellor, Engr. Kayode Ojo, have strangely resurfaced following the recent appointment of a new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution."
"It is regrettable that despite the issuance of a clean bill of health to the Vice–Chancellor confirming the latter has acted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in respect of the management of the Institution, the same complainant has approached SaharaReporters to publish these serious allegations without the media outlet first reaching out to the Vice–Chancellor or the University’s management for any clarification or position."
"The Vice–Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has demonstrated unwavering commitment, through transparency and accountability to the growth and success of the Institution, which has led to the University being amongst the top sought-after tertiary institutions in Nigeria by candidates and their parents.
"These malicious attacks will however not deter him from his responsibilities to pilot the Institution even to greater heights," Adegboruwa stated.