Sexual Harassment: SSANU Women Demand FUOYE VC’s Suspension, Threaten Protest

The National Women Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is demanding the suspension of the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, over allegations of sexual harassment.

The association’s national women committee, while addressing journalists after SSANU’s 50th regular NEC meeting at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, called on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wives of governors, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders to intervene in the matter.

The SSANU committee threatened to stage a protest at the National Assembly if no action is taken against the Vice Chancellor.

National Women Coordinator and Chairperson for the committee, Comrade Ijeoma Basil Kalu, while speaking on behalf of the committee, expressed dismay and dissatisfaction on the lingering issue of sexual harassment on one of its own by the Vice Chancellor.

She noted that the suspension of the Vice Chancellor had become imperative in order to allow for a free and fair investigation of the matter.

The committee made several demands, including the re-composition of the Council Committee investigating the matter, the reversal of the suspension of the Branch Chairperson and Secretary, and the safety and security of their members.

They also called for a speedy and impartial determination of the matter by the Governing Council.

“We call on the office of the first lady (Federal) and (State), Minister of Education, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria Labour Congress Women Commission, the Gender Mobile, the ICPC, Stand Up for Women Society, FIDA and all other appropriate and concerned bodies to dispassionately look into the matter and see that justice is served as appropriate.

“Lastly, we stand in full solidarity with our members and all other victims of sexual Harassment as we will continue to fight and advocate for a safe and just working environment. Enough is enough justice must prevail,” he said.

However, Fasina has denied the allegations, claiming he never harassed the lady in question and that the police have cleared him of any wrongdoing.

He described the allegations as “blackmail” and a “campaign of calumny.”

According to Fasina, the lady in question had exonerated him in a statement to the police, stating she was not sexually assaulted.

Both the SSANU member and the Vice Chancellor are facing a nine-man panel set up by the University’s Governing Council to investigate the allegations.

In response, Professor Fasina stated that the matter had been investigated by the police, who found him not guilty of sexual harassment.

He claimed the lady had written a statement denying any sexual harassment and that the Council’s committee had invited both parties to testify.

Sexual Harassment: SSANU Women Demand FUOYE VC’s Suspension, Threaten Protest is first published on The Whistler Newspaper