The management of the University of Lagos says it may have to involve security agencies in addition to other established means to unravel the truth behind alleged sexual harassment by one of its lecturers.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundiipe made the plan known at a news conference to announce preliminary findings on the allegation.
Ogundipe explained that preliminary investigations had raised certain questions and issues that needed to be investigated further.
He said investigations were ongoing and the lecturer in the Department of English, identified as Prof. Segun Awonusi, allegedly involved in the matter, had appeared twice before the panel set up by the institution.
The vice-chancellor said the university was making efforts to confirm the authenticity of the pictures released in the social media, adding that the investigations might involve the security services.
“However, the process in getting to the root of the issue is being slowed down as a result of the inability of the said ex-student, Nwanna, to come forward to substantiate her claim.
“In May 2018, the attention of the university management was drawn to a publication in the social media, accompanied by semi-nude photographs of the said lecturer, with allegation of sexual harassment .
“Following the publication and the resulting negative publicity experienced by the university community, management swung into action by setting up a fact finding panel to look into the allegation and make appropriate recommendations based on its findings.
“The panel, which consisted of five professors, three females and two males drawn from various departments of the university, was headed by Prof. Chioma Agonmo, a former Dean, Faculty of Law.
“This panel has conducted its investigations and recently submitted its report. Preliminary findings indicate that the allegation of sexual harassment was not substantiated by the alleged victim or any other person,’’ Ogundipe said.
He said that the alleged victim was identified as one Miss Joy Nwanna.
The vice-chancellor said the record of Nwanna revealed that she was admitted to the Department of English as a direct entry student in the 2012/2013 academic session and she graduated in the 2015/2016 session.
“Now all attempts made by the facts finding panel to contact the alleged victim (Nwanna) by telephone numbers in her students’ records and by e-mail have proved abortive.
“The panel also attempted to contact the blogger involved, Linda Ikeji, to assist in convincing the alleged victim to come forward to substantiate her claims but she too is not forthcoming in that regard.
“To this end therefore, we want to urge the press and the general public to assist the university by impressing it on Nwanna to come forward to substantiate her claim.
He also appealed “to Ms Ikeji to convince the victim to appear before the panel and state her side of the story.’’
The vice-chancellor assured both the alleged victim and the blogger of necessary protection should they decide to come forward.
Ogundipe said in an attempt to protect the rights of all members of the university community, the Senate came up with a policy six months ago to cater to issues of interactions among students and between students and lecturers.
“We have zero tolerance for any form of harassment and will not allow issues like this to rub the name of this institution in the mud.
“That is why in addition to this policy, we shall be setting up counseling units in all faculties and the Students’ Affairs, as well as the Health centre and all other areas with available space.
“We shall also be putting in place, open lines to ensure that students who are victimised or depressed can call for quick interaction.
“We will do everything to protect both our students and staff.
“We are doing all these to let the public know that we are not just watching, but doing all we can to ensure justice, equity and fair-play,’’ Ogundipe said. (NAN)