Sexual Harassment: FUOYE Governing Council Exonerates VC

The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has cleared the vice chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, of allegations of sexual harassment against a member of staff of the institution.

The university, in the last few months, had been embroiled in a series of controversies over the reported allegations of sexual harassment against the VC by a member of staff, Engr. Folasade Adebayo, who was the director of Physical Planning and director of Works and Services.

Also, the leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) FUOYE branch was at loggerheads with the university management over some issues relating to the suspension of their leadership.

The governing council, under the chairmanship of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, set up an investigative panel in January to resolve the imbroglio in the interest of the parties and the institution.
In a statement yesterday, Mufutau Ibrahim, the registrar and secretary of the council, said that the council considered the report of the Investigative Committees constituted on the issues during its extraordinary meeting on April 8, 2025.

While exonerating the VC from the allegations, the statement added that the report indicated that Adebayo never made official complaints of sexual harassment against Professor Fasina, which confirmed the earlier investigation by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The council also condemned the audio recordings of the VC by Mrs Adebayo without his consent, saying that it was against established laws and regulations of the university.

She was directed to write an apology letter to the council within the next seven days and further warned from bringing the university’s name into disrepute.

The statement reads, ” There was no case of sexual harassment, thus confirming the earlier investigation by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) during which investigation Engr. Adebayo had made a statement that she was not sexually harassed.

” All documents relied on in the investigation by the committee were attached to the report (NPF report, audio tapes, their transcripts, correspondences by the vice-chancellor and Engr. Adebayo, minutes of management meetings, etc.).

” Council condemned the recording of the vice chancellor without his knowledge and consent. All members of the council agreed that the recordings were tools for blackmail to confirm Engr. Adebayo as substantive director of works, which the vice-chancellor has no authority to do. Contrary to Engr. Adebayo’s allegation that she was removed as Ag. Director of Works and Services, her tenure rather expired.

” Council noted that Engr. Folasade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against the vice-chancellor, Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina.

” Council directed that Engr. Adebayo be warned for bringing the name of the university to disrepute. She is also directed to write a letter of apology to the council within seven (7) days.”

The council, however, frowned at the management “for the preferential treatment meted out to Engr. Adebayo by backdating her promotion to 2015 in 2024. Hence, the council directed that management be formally warned and to desist from such an act.”

The statement further reads, ” Council directed that the unwarranted backdated promotion be reviewed appropriately.

“Council directed that the vice chancellor, Professor Abayomi S. Fasina, be advised in writing to be more careful and circumspect when dealing with subordinates.

“The council is to come up with policies on cyberbullying, the use of social media, and community and public relations. Council also condemned the act of recording people without their knowledge and consent, as this is inconsistent with the freedoms of an academic community.

” Council is to advertise for the substantive positions of Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services. Council will set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to look into all issues within the University.

“Council will also organise On-boarding and Re-orientation programmes for new and existing university staff, respectively.”

Concerning the two suspended chairmen and secretary of SSANU in the institution, Mr Benjamin Faleye and Mrs Ayomikun Aluko, respectively, the council investigation found the duo culpable of gross misconduct. ” However, the council graciously lifted their suspension with forfeiture of their half salaries during the suspension period. They are also to write letters of apology and undertaking to abide by the laws of the University within seven (7) days.”

Regarding internal review processes for promotion to professorial cadre with a case study on Dr Ngozi C. Ole, ” Council reviewed its internal processes for promotion, identified weaknesses and decided on the steps to strengthen FUOYE’s internal promotion exercise procedures.”