Group Wants VC Suspended Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

A group, the Association for Students’ Social Welfare (ASSW), has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, pending the conclusion of the investigation and judicial proceedings into the alleged sexual harassment  allegation against him.

According to the group, this is the only path to safeguard justice, ensure institutional integrity and restore peace in FUOYE.

A female employee  and the institution’s former acting director of Works, Mrs Folasade Adebayo, lodged  the complaint against the vice chancellor.

In a press statement signed by the founder of the group, Ambassador Victor Adetolaju, on Saturday, he faulted the Governing Council of the university for absolving Fasina of sexual harassment, saying the process was manipulated.

According to the group, Prof. Fasina took the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to court in an attempt to halt the ongoing investigations into the allegations.

“Such actions betray the transparency, accountability, and moral standards expected of a public officer holding such a sensitive position.

“It is, therefore, a grave injustice and an insult to the collective integrity of the Nigerian university system that this same individual is now being forcibly reinstated through the manipulations of a tainted Governing Council chaired by a partisan figure — in what can only be described as an arranged meeting that defied due process and the principles of fair administration,” he said.

The group also urged the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and all anti-corruption agencies to live up to their constitutional responsibilities by ensuring justice is served in the matter.

“FUOYE must not be allowed to degenerate into a banana republic of academic impunity where rules are bent to serve personal interests, and accountability is replaced by intimidation,” they said.

The group said, “Section 4(2) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2003 (as amended) provides clearly: Decisions affecting the appointment, suspension, or reinstatement of principal officers shall be made by the Governing Council at a properly constituted meeting.

“This requirement was brazenly violated. There was no properly convened meeting, no lawful vote, and no collective decision.

“Instead, the Council Chairman acted unilaterally — usurping the powers of the Council and undermining transparency, checks, and accountability.

“Such actions represent not merely administrative misconduct but a constitutional breach that undermines the credibility of the Nigerian higher education system.”