Extortionists and prolific sex predators on rampage in the institution

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Shocking things are happening in Ebonyi State University (EBSU) in Abakaliki, capital of the state. To pass some courses, some lecturers in some faculties, including law, allegedly extort or coerce female students into sex.

It was gathered that some lecturers even compel male students to provide girls for them if they intend to pass. In other words, grades are awarded based on cash payment or performance on bed.

Some students, who didn’t want their identities revealed, for obvious reasons, alleged that some lecturers have become sex predators. The reporter was told that the situation is so bad that a particular perverted lecturer slept with a female student and her mother.

One of the students said: “Of course, not all lecturers demand cash or sex for grades but the predators prefer sex to cash. They tell you the hotel to go and lodge after which they come to meet you. Some of them even act as if they are doing you a favour.  Sometimes, it is not a one-off thing. Those who prefer cash take between N30,000 and N50,000 to pass a particular course. But sex attracts better grades than cash.“

Another student disclosed that offices of lecturers are not safe for female students. She said: “When I entered a lecturers office, he started making passes at me and telling me to use what I have to get what I need. He said other students where doing. He said that if we do it once I will come back again and again on my own.

“When he started fondling my breasts, I started crying. I was shocked. He was old enough to be my father. I told him I was a virgin and I intended to keep it that way. Finally, he asked me to find a lady who will take my place. Someone arranged a hook-up girl for him and I paid her to sleep with him on my behalf.”

One old student narrated that one lecturer was frustrating him because refused to accede to his request for money.

He told the reporter; “I didn’t not have the opportunity to go to school when I was younger. However, my children encouraged me to go back to school and I got admission at EBSU. I’m in my final year but one lecturer has been asking me for money.

“The lecturer, an indigene, said I should show appreciation to him. I thanked him for teaching us but he said I should show it in practical terms. When I  gained admission, I made up my mind to be serious with my studies. He is not happy with me and it shows. He has not been giving me the result I deserve. I used to hear that some lecturers ask for gratification but now I am a victim. If I knew EBSU was like this, I wouldn’t have come there.”

Meanwhile, a non-governmental and advocacy group, Salvation and Service (SnS), has strongly condemned the allegations of sex-for-mark and extortion of students in EBSU. According to the group, “the demeaning solicitations to  helpless female students is disgusting, it erosion of values, it is the height of moral decadence. Such men should be castrated when caught.”

A statement by Prince Tim Nwaro, General Secretary of  SnS, urged the vice chancellor to flush out the bad eggs in the system who are tarnishing the image of the university.

The group stated: “We have learnt that some of the lecturers at Ebonyi State University (EBSU) in Abakaliki are prolific sex predators. Female students are at their mercy.

“Some have turned to hawkers and costermongers of marks or grades. To pass some courses in some departments, including law, some female students are offered two options: to have sex with the lecturer or pay between N30,000 and N50,000. For the male students, it is a matter of cash; age is not an issue. You must pay to pass; otherwise you will go home with a miserable result.”

It was gathered that the money and sex for high marks  backfired in the last Nigerian Law School results where Ebonyi State University 2nd Class (Upper) degree holders failed woefully in the Bar Examination.

According to EBSU students, another serious issue bothering them is that there’s always undue delay in releasing final year exam results, ostensibly to manipulate the results in favour of highest paying students and other clannish biased alterations.

Ironically, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Michael U. Awoke, had warned staff  against extortion of students of the institution. Speaking during the interactive session between management and students of the College of postgraduate studies, the VC regretted the practice of lecturers and other staff asking students for money or demanding sex-for-mark.

When our reporter contacted Mr Patrick Itumo, public relations officer, EBSU, over the allegations, he said: “Well, I am very aware that the management is very strict on the issue of sex-for-marks and sexual harassment. The new Vice chancellor has taken that as his priority to ensure that such things does not exist.

“In fact, he keeps saying it every time he makes his speech that he will not tolerate such things.

Sexual harassment is everywhere in the country, it is not a new thing in the university and I am sure the management is going to tackle it.”