Vice Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, has said that he does not see female students and staff of the institution alone in his office due to issues of sexual harassment.

He noted that the school had experienced several allegations, with students, especially, reporting incidents of sexual harassment which, after investigation, turned out to be false and a calculated attempt by the accuser to malign the image of the accused and the institution.

The IMSU VC made the disclosure when he received members of the Alliance for Africa (AfA) and the Gender Units of the school who were on an advocacy visit.

Chukwumaeze, who acknowledged the existence of sexual harassment incidents at the university, reiterated his commitment, since he assumed office, to curb the menace.

He, however, advised civil society organizations, the media, and other concerned parties to always investigate reports received before publishing them, saying, “When investigated, you will discover that some of those reports are simply malicious lies.”

He said, “We are aware there is sexual harassment at Imo State University, but since I assumed office in 2021, I felt that sexual harassment, among other social vices, must be confronted head-on. It is also for this same reason that I created an email platform, ‘[email protected].’

“This is to encourage the victims to report their cases. I receive two to three sexual harassment complaints on a daily basis through the platform.

“You can confirm that I have suspended lectures and even a professor of this institution over a sexual harassment issue. So I will proudly say that IMSU has zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

“Unfortunately, we have also had cases where some female students leveled false accusations against our lecturers of sexual harassment. This is why I will advise that you always investigate reports of sexual harassment once you receive them. Because if you don’t, you may be destroying the soul of an innocent accused.

“You may also need to know that for this same reason, I don’t receive female students and staff alone in my office. I make sure that my secretary comes in and stays at a distance.”

Earlier, AfA Programme Director Ms. Blessing Duru, Director of the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at IMSU, stressed the need for the school management to strengthen mechanisms through the formulation of policies that would help tackle the prevalence of sexual harassment in the institution.

Duru said, “Additionally, the university should promote transparency in reporting sexual harassment cases. A culture of openness, supported by clear reporting pathways and accountability measures, should be prioritized for both staff and students. Each time a perpetrator goes unpunished, more survivors suffer re-victimization, perpetuating the cycle of harm.”