CSOs urge ICPC to probe sexual harassment allegations at FUOYE

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has written a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Fasina, over his alleged sexual harassment of a married staff member of the institution.

The petition was signed by the Gender Mobile Initiative, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Education as a Vaccine, BIGIF, BraveHeart Initiative, and Hope Behind Bars.

The CSOs demand transparency, accountability, and justice in the sexual harassment case involving Fasina and the Deputy Director of the university’s Directorate of Works and Services, Folasade Adebayo.

The VC was alleged to have pressured and harassed the female staff member for sexual relations, which Adebayo resisted. This led to her removal from the position she occupied in the university. She reportedly wrote a letter to the university’s governing board, pleading for an intervention.

READ ALSO: Coalition distances FUOYE VC from alleged sexual harassment, others

While calling for an independent investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment against Fasina, the CSOs urged the ICPC to ensure justice is served in the matter.

The petition, submitted on Monday, was addressed to the ICPC Chairman and copied to key stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant Senate and House Committees.

The CSOs described the allegations against the VC as a “gross abuse of authority, contravention of institutional ethics, and a violation of Nigeria’s legal frameworks on workplace harassment and gender-based violence.”

They also expressed a lack of confidence in the panel constituted by the Governing Council, given the biases shining through the panel’s terms of reference.

The ICPC has been urged to investigate the allegations, and protect and provide support for the victim, including legal, psychological, and social assistance.

They also seek a review of FUOYE’s internal policies on sexual harassment and the implementation of systemic reforms, as well as legislative oversight by relevant Senate and House Committees to address institutional failures in handling sexual harassment cases in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The signatories to the petition expressed confidence in the ICPC’s ability to ensure justice and urged all stakeholders to prioritise transparency and fairness in addressing the case.

They have appealed to the Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to strengthen anti-harassment frameworks and protect victims of workplace abuse.

This petition is expected to spark widespread attention and further advocacy for addressing workplace harassment in Nigerian universities. All eyes are now on the ICPC and other authorities to act decisively and uphold justice.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the VC of FUOYE on media, Wole Balogun, said the university’s governing council was investigating the sexual harassment allegations.

“The University Governing Council has set up a committee to investigate the allegations raised by SSANU members in our university. Regarding this petition, we are unable to comment on it as we are not its authors, and it does not include the identities of its signatories.

“Given that the Governing Council is already addressing the matter, offering any comments at this stage would be both sub judice and unfair. Thank you,” Balogun told The Guardian.