Pelumi Olajengbesi, a legal practitioner, has described the dismissal of sexual allegations against Abayomi Fasina, vice-chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), by the institution’s governing board, despite evidence, as disturbing.
Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based lawyer, emphasised that the university’s governing board’s decision to exonerate the vice-chancellor even in the face of telling evidence is deeply disturbing.
“The approach taken in this investigation, riddled with institutional bias and procedural recklessness, appears designed to shield the institution’s leadership at the expense of truth and justice.
“In the face of hard-core evidence, including audio recordings, written exchanges, and multiple public disclosures, the outright dismissal of the sexual harassment allegations is not only shocking but profoundly troubling,” he said.
The legal practitioner emphasised that the decision sends a chilling message to staff and students alike, implying that no matter the gravity of an accusation, if it involves someone in a position of power, it will be ignored and the complainant vilified, even as he faulted the investigative procedure which he said was without forensic analysis.
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“The governing council’s decision to issue warnings against the complainant while offering only superficial advice to the vice-chancellor exemplifies an institution more concerned with its reputation than with achieving genuine justice.
“Dismissing hard-core evidence while failing in its duty to nurture and raise responsible citizens is not merely surprising—it is a grave breach of the ethical standards expected of a premier educational institution,” he noted.
In addition, he said, “It must be unequivocally stated that, as long as the Vice Chancellor retains control of the institution, no one within the University is in any position to impartially investigate such allegations. His continued leadership taints the entire process and renders any internal findings inherently biased.
“Given these glaring deficiencies, I call on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to step in immediately. An investigation conducted by an external, impartial body is essential to restore public faith in the process of justice. The ICPC must carry out a thorough and independent inquiry into these allegations and prosecute those who have allowed misconduct and institutional cover-ups to persist.”
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), including Gender Mobile Initiative, had earlier petitioned the anti-corruption agency in January 2025.
The CSOs demanded transparency, accountability, and justice in the sexual harassment case involving Fasina and Folashade Adebayo, a married subordinate in the university, who is the deputy director at the Directorate of Works and Services at the university.
The vice-chancellor was alleged to have pressured and harassed the female staff member for sex. Adebayo had resisted the vice-chancellor’s alleged attempts, which caused her removal from the office she occupied.
Adebayo reportedly wrote a letter to the governing board of the school for intervention.
The CSOs had called on the ICPC to ensure justice is served in the matter, and also demanded that an independent investigation be conducted into allegations of sexual harassment against the vice-chancellor.
