SSANU Calls For Suspension Of Vice-Chancellor Over Alleged Sexual Harassment At FUOYE, Faults Composition Of 9-Member Committee To Probe Allegation - EDU-BIZNEWS

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

SSANU Calls For Suspension Of Vice-Chancellor Over Alleged Sexual Harassment At FUOYE, Faults Composition Of 9-Member Committee To Probe Allegation




Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has demanded for suspension of Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Prof.Abayomi Fasina allegedly accused of sexual harassment by Engineer (Mrs) Folashade Adebayo, a senior Staff of the university whose allegation has led to the suspension of  Branch Chairman, and Secretary of the union, Comrades Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko respectively 
 
National Vice- President and Chairman of SSANU Western Zone, Comrade Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, PhD who made the call among other  demands of the union in a petition addressed to Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the university of which a copy was made available to Edu-Biznews, also faulted the composition of nine-member committee set up by the Govering Council of the university and term of conference given to the committee to guide its investigation into the alleged sexual harassment 

The union expressed concern that allowing the Vice-Chancellor to remain in office would influence the outcome of the investigation by the committee in his favour at the expense of Folasade who raised the allegation 

"While the Union commends the Council for the courage in excusing the Vice- Chancellor from its meeting of Friday, 24th January 2024, we are still at a loss as to why the Vice- Chancellor has not been suspended over the allegations against him".

" It smacks of injustice and double standards that the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU were immediately suspended by the Council even before a Panel was constituted to investigate the issue, while the Vice- Chancellor, whose stay in office has a high potentiality of influencing the outcome of the Committee is allowed to continue to superintend over the affairs of the University," SSANU raised concern 

SSANU called for the review of composition of the committee members, stressing the need for removal of six names including Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Mr. Matthew Ngajiozor , Barrister Gowon Maxwell ,Mrs. Nike Omoworare, Hajia Nafisat Nahuche Mr. Tope Arogundade and Barrister L. A. Eni which must be replaced by those who are neutral  and unbiased in the matter 

"To review the membership and composition of the Committee, causing the removal of the following members whose previous involvements may taint the outcome of this exercise:Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Mr. Matthew Ngajiozor , Barrister Gowon Maxwell ,Mrs. Nike Omoworare, Hajia Nafisat Nahuche Mr. Tope Arogundade and sveBarrister L. A. Eni

"The inclusion of a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Professor Joshua Ogunwole) on the Committee is tantamount to the Vice- Chancellor being on the Committee"

"The above individuals should be replaced with independent, neutral and unbiased individuals who may not necessarily be from FUOYE"

"We further insist that if for reasons best known to the Council the Deputy Vice- Chancellor remains a member of the Committee, then the National Secretariat of SSANU must be similarly represented on the Committee, to equally ensure that the interests of our member, Engineer Folashade Adebayo, our Branch Chairman, Benjamin Faleye and Secretary, Ayomikun Aluko are commensurately protected", SSANU insisted 

The union equally cautioned the council on the term of reference given to the committee members investigating the matter which according to it, is a diversionary away from the substance of the matter which is invesitigation of alleged sexual harassment and not probing the source of video on the alleged act 

"The Terms of Reference of the Committee appear fundamentally flawed and diversionary from the main issue. It would appear that the terms of reference are skewed more towards investigating the source of the online reports by the Foundation of Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and Sahara Reporters, rather than the veracity of the allegation of immorality, sexual harassment and victimization alleged against the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina", .

"This position is viewed from the fact that of all the seven Terms of Reference, the first three are focused on the sources of the audios, the motives of the recordings, and how the recordings gained currency in the social media." 

"Only one scant reference (TOR 4) was made on investigating the allegations. 

"We see this as an attempt by the crafter(s) of the Terms of Reference to gaslight the public from the core issue to focus on distractions", the union cautioned 

SSANU described the issues of sexual harassment and victimization as highly sensitive that must treated by all signs of seriousness 

"The issues of sexual harassment and victimization are highly sensitive and should be treated with all sense of responsibility by the Council of FUOYE" 

"The University would be best served if this matter is handled with fairness than any attempt to shield or protect the Vice- Chancellor." the union. maintained 

SSANU also copied the petition to the offices of Minister of Education, Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission


The union vowed to protect the interest of members, demanding for justice and fairness for its suspended members whose careers are now under threats, accusing the embattled Vice-Chancellor of using the instrumentality of power to victimize them for exposing unethical conduct on the campus 

"The Chairman of Council is urged to please realise that SSANU has a major stake in this matter."

"The career and life of our members, Mrs. Folashade Adebayo is on the line. The careers and livelihoods of our officers, Comrade Benjamin Faleye and Ayomikun Aluko have been threatened because whistleblowing has been criminalized in FUOYE"

 "For the Union, these two officers have acted on our behalf in protecting the interests of our member and blowing the whistle on unhealthy practices at the workplace", the union stated 

 



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