FUOYE Council Clears VC in Sexual Harassment Case, Criticizes SSANU

The Governing Council at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, has officially cleared the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, of any wrongdoing related to alleged sexual misconduct.

Mrs Folasade Adebayo, a female staff member and former acting Director of Works at the university, made the accusation.

Mufutau Ibrahim, the Registrar and Council Secretary, stated that during its 8th Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday, the council also resolved that Adebayo and two Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) members at FUOYE must issue apology letters.

The university recently experienced internal turmoil, as tensions rose between the vice-chancellor and several SSANU members over Adebayo’s accusations of inappropriate behavior by Prof. Fasina.

In a statement dated April 8, 2025, and released in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Ibrahim explained that the council had reviewed multiple reports during the meeting, including those from investigative panels on SSANU FUOYE branch communications, Adebayo’s allegations against the VC, and the institution’s internal process for academic promotions, using Dr Ngozi Ole from the Faculty of Law as an example.

He stated, “On the alleged case of sexual harassment levelled against the VC, Prof Fasina, the council asked the VC to recuse himself from the meeting to ensure free and open deliberation on the report.”

“All members of council listened to the audio recordings during the meeting with the help of a translator.”

Following in-depth deliberation, the council determined that there was no evidence of sexual misconduct, asserting that “Engr Folasade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against the VC, howsoever.”

Ibrahim mentioned that this outcome echoed the findings of an earlier investigation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force, which concluded that Adebayo stated, “She was not sexually harassed.”

“All documents relied on in the investigation by the committee were attached to the report (NPF report, audio tapes, their transcripts, correspondences by the VC and Adebayo, minutes of management meetings, etc).”

The registrar added, “Council condemned the recording of the VC without his knowledge and consent.”

“All members of the council agreed that the recordings were tools for blackmail to confirm Adebayo as substantive Director of Works, which the VC has no authority to do, and that contrary to Adebayo’s allegation that she was removed as acting director of works and services, her tenure instead expired.”

The council ruled that “Engr. Adebayo, be warned for bringing the name of the university into disrepute. She is also directed to write a letter of apology to the council within seven days.”

Additionally, “Council directed that the VC, Prof. Fasina, be advised in writing to be more careful and circumspect in dealing with subordinates.”

The council criticized the university’s leadership for granting Adebayo special treatment by “backdating her promotion to 2015 in 2024.”

“The council directed that management be formally warned to desist from such acts and that the unwarranted backdated promotion be reviewed appropriately.”

To foster calm and unity, “Council will set up a peace and reconciliation committee to look into all issues within the university,” Ibrahim explained.

Ibrahim further noted that the governing council reviewed findings from the committee on SSANU FUOYE branch communications, alongside a minority report concerning the conduct of the branch chairman, Mr. Benjamin Faleye, and secretary, Mrs. Ayomikun Aluko.

He said, “Both (Faleye and Aluko) were found culpable of misconduct, but the council graciously lifted their suspension with forfeiture of their half salaries during the period.”

“They are also to write letters of apology and undertaking to abide by the university laws within seven days.”

Concerning internal promotion standards, the council reviewed its procedures based on Dr. Ngozi Ole’s case and discovered gaps that require strengthening.

Ibrahim concluded that the council will soon develop “policies on cyberbullying, use of social media, community and public relations,” and will soon announce the vacancies for the permanent roles of Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services.