Sex-for-marks alleged victim family threatens to sue Edo varsity

The family of the alleged victim of sexual harassment scandal rocking Edo State-owned Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, has threatened to sue the university if it did not stop what it called “diabolical ‘python dance’, as well as retract all embarrassing publications concerning the victim, and offer her an “undiluted apology.”

The alleged victim, one Mrs. Itohan (Nee Okhihie) and her mother, Eunice Okhihie, acting through their lawyer, J. O. Udaze, have threatened to sue the university over the allegation, which according to their lawyer, “is to dig and rake into a matter under reference which to my client is as dead as Dodo and spent.”

Udaze, who is demanding a handsome compensation for his clients, said: “As otherwise, I have the irreversible instructions of my clients to set the machinery of justice in motion against your establishment without further correspondence from these chambers.

“My clients are embarrassed by these unwarranted and surreptitious events and have suffered psychological disequilibrium, ridicule, disgrace, public odium and are now being shunned and avoided by reasonable members of the society.

“To add to the discomfiture, my client, Mrs. Itohan’s marriage is now being threatened.”

Meanwhile, a statement by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Edward Aihevba, said the suspension followed the arraignment of Prof. Igbafen before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee on allegation of gross misconduct bothering on sexual harassment and threat of marks for sex.

The university had in a petition alleged that the family of the female student involved had asked that Igbafen be brought to book, failing which the university management would be reported to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Igbafen, an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, had on February 13, 2019 been suspended from duty.