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From Priscilia edible, Ado Ekiti
Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has cleared the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, of the 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, Folasade Adebayo, who was the Director of Physical Planning as well as Works and Services.
The leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE branch, was also at loggerheads with the university’s management over some issues relating to the suspension of their leadership.
The governing council headed by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, in January, set up an investigative panel with a view of resolving the imbroglio in the interest of the parties and the institution.
Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau Ibrahim, in a statement yesterday, said the council, during its extraordinary meeting on April 8, 2025, considered the report of the investigative committees constituted on the issues.
While exonerating the VC from the allegations, the statement added that the report indicated 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 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 name of the university into disrepute.
The statement read: “There was no case of sexual harassment, thus confirming the earlier investigation by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), during which investigation 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 Adebayo, minutes of Management meetings etc).
“The 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 Adebayo as the substantive Director of Works, which the Vice Chancellor has no authority to do. Contrary to Adebayo’s allegation that she was removed as acting Director of Works and Services, her tenure rather expired.
“Council noted that Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina, howsoever.
“Council directed that 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 Adebayo by backdating her promotion to 2015 in 2024. Hence, Council directed that Management be formally warned and to desist from such act.”
The statement further read: “Council directed that the unwarranted backdated promotion be reviewed appropriately.
“Council directed that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fasina be advised in writing to be more careful and circumspect in dealing with subordinates.
“Council is to come up with policies on cyber-bullying, use of social media, 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 staff of the university respectively.”
On the suspension of the chairman and the secretary of SSANU in the institution, Mr. Benjamin Faleye and Mrs. Ayomikun Aluko, respectively, the council’s investigation found the duo culpable of gross misconduct, but Council graciously lifted their suspension with forfeiture of their half salaries during the period of suspension. They are also to write letters of apology and undertaking to abide by the laws of the university within seven days.”
On the issue regarding internal review processes for promotion to professorial cadre with 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.”
