Commission lauds varsity over sack of 15 staff on alleged sexual harassment

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has welcomed the bold and decisive action of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, terminating the employment of 15 staff, and demotion of one academic staff on account of conducts bordering on alleged corruption and sexual harassment.

The Commission noted that the strong disciplinary action followed investigations that established unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advances and behaviour toward members of the school community, illegal allocation of, and alteration of grades, and extortion of students.

Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, who commended the action, said the move was pursuant to Section 17 (p) (s) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.He told The Guardian that inappropriate behaviour undermines the quality and validity of education, and also questions the credibility of educational outcomes.

According to him, these types of conduct materially affect the entire community, diminish scholarship, and negatively skew academic outcomes in a manner that violates the rights of targets of the behaviour, and victimises others who are invariably indirect victims.Irukera, who noted that a transparent, fair, and just educational community is vital for all members of the community, especially students, added that the Commission is keen to ensure that students, as consumers, are afforded the necessary protection to ensure campuses are safe and secured always.

He urged educational institutions to pursue aggressive and open initiatives to ensure harassment, corruption and other vices are eradicated from educational system.”The Commission commends ABU for this robust and far-reaching effort, and the confidence it restores and promotes in our institutions, systems and processes.”The Commission is further encouraged by ABU’s commitment to a broader and continuing investigation of others within the community,” Irukera said.