FUOYE VC Faces Suspension Calls as SSANU Women Push for Justice in Harassment Case
The National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called for the immediate suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, following allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by a female staff member.
In a statement issued after SSANU’s 50th Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, the Women Committee expressed serious concern over the matter, urging relevant authorities, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, state governors’ wives, the National Assembly, and the Ministers of Education and Women Affairs, to intervene.
They further warned that if action was not taken, they would organize a protest at the National Assembly to demand justice.
Reacting to the allegations, Prof. Fasina denied any wrongdoing, describing the claims as baseless and an attempt to tarnish his reputation. He stated that a police investigation had already cleared him and that the woman involved had personally written a statement confirming that no sexual harassment took place.
“The allegations are completely false. The police have investigated the matter and issued a clean report in my favor. The woman herself testified that there was no harassment. This is a case of defamation, and it is unfair to damage someone’s reputation like this,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the university’s Governing Council had constituted a nine-member panel to look into the allegations, and both he and the complainant had appeared before it. He urged all parties to allow due process to take its course.
Despite the VC’s defense, SSANU’s Women Committee insists that his suspension is necessary to ensure a fair investigation. The committee chairperson, Comrade Ijeoma Basil Kalu, stated that the allegations were serious and could not be ignored.
“The act in question is not just a violation of our member’s dignity but an abuse of power that undermines the moral integrity of academic institutions,” she said.
Among their key demands are:
– The reconstitution of the investigation panel and a review of its terms of reference to ensure impartiality.
– The immediate reinstatement of the FUOYE SSANU branch chairperson and secretary, who were allegedly suspended for advocating on behalf of the victim.
– Enhanced safety measures for female staff to prevent workplace harassment and intimidation.
The committee urged agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), and civil society organizations to monitor the case closely to ensure justice is served.
Addressing the controversy, FUOYE’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, stated that the council would take a position on the matter once the panel submits its findings.
“Our focus is to resolve this issue fairly and in a timely manner. We are awaiting the report from the investigative panel before making any decisions,” he said.
For now, the case remains under investigation, with both the accused and the complainant awaiting the outcome of the panel’s deliberations.
