A nine-member committee has been established by the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Governing Council to look into claims of sexual harassment made against Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, the vice chancellor of the university.
This decision comes after a female employee, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, said that the Vice-Chancellor had made indecent approaches.
The committee was instructed to carry out a thorough inquiry and unearth the truth behind the accusations within three weeks, according to a statement issued on Friday by Mufutau A. Ibrahim, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council.
According to him, the committee must investigate the issue thoroughly and provide its conclusions to the Council in the allotted period, the statement stated.
Additionally, the statement stated: “During its emergency meeting on Friday, January 24, 2025, the Governing Council took note of the online group the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and the publication of a number of audio recordings that claimed the Vice-Chancellor had sexually harassed Engr. Mrs. Folashade Adebayo, a Deputy Director of Works at the University.
“The Vice-Chancellor was excused from the meeting by the Council due to the accusations against him.”
Ibrahim clarified that the Governing Council had a lengthy discussion about the problems and noted that the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has recently made headlines for the wrong reasons and that the unfavorable reports are overshadowing the university’s outstanding accomplishments.
“As a result, the Council established a nine-member committee with the following terms of reference to look into the claims in detail and find the source of the issue within three weeks:
The committee’s task is to “examine the source of the viral audio recording claiming the vice chancellor’s illicit actions and the purchase of the Bursar and Registrar seats;
“To look into why the recording was made; to look into how the recording became popular on social media;
“To look into Mrs. Folasade Adebayo’s claims, especially the one of immoral advances made against Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina, the vice chancellor;
“To examine all past activities and attempts by the police, the former chairman of the Council, and others to disprove the accusations made by Engr. Folasade Adebayo against Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina, the vice-chancellor; and
“To look into any other issue pertaining to the claims.”
He mentioned that the Council intends to review the committee’s report at its upcoming meeting, which is set for the third week of February 2025.
“In the meantime, the Council wishes to encourage members of the University community and the general public to remain calm and focused as the Council is determined to do justice and there will be no sacred cows,” Ibrahim stated.
According to earlier reports, he refuted the accusations when he spoke with Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUOYE.
He said a committee would be formed by the Governing Council to examine the issue.
“Well, the one about suspending anyone is premature,” he added. It’s completely premature because the issue existed before I arrived, and my predecessor attempted to find a peaceful solution by having a conversation with both parties.
Additionally, Engineer Adebayo continued to write another petition, suggesting that she was not happy. Additionally, those audios are now available in various versions and have expanded in distribution.
We therefore decided that a committee should be established by the council. In order to discuss a situation, the council is holding an emergency meeting this morning. Therefore, a committee will be established to hear from the vice chancellor and Mrs. Adebayo.
“After that, we’ll review all of the earlier attempts, including the police investigations because there is a police report and the police had looked into this issue. Additionally, a committee will be established by the council today. We will wait for the committee’s decision in addition to our emergency and council meetings today.
It questioned Ndoma-Egba about claims that Engineer Adebayo would be suspended by the council and if he had taken sides in the dispute.
“I said the council is setting up a committee today,” he retorted.
Because I’m pro-chancellor, it would have been wrong for me to broadcast my choice if I had chosen a side. Every decision, however, must be made by the council, not the pro chancellor. And for that reason, we had to call an emergency council meeting to talk about it.
He went on, Regarding what they said, I stated that the quote you used is untrue. It is completely false what they said about me at the Oba’s palace. My speech has been recorded.
“I believe that someone is simply being naughty. I stated that on November 20, I was named the university’s pro-chancellor. On November 25, the union addressed the media. They didn’t even offer me a chance to address the issue.
“They have since sent the minister written petitions. In every institution, there exist grievance management procedures.
“And they will examine all of these concerns. I met with the unions yesterday. Every union, with the exception of ASUU. Therefore, the quote is false, with the exception of the fact that they play the recording of my speech, which is completely wrong. Not nearly as much as I said.
Please, I recently arrived as the pro-chancellor. In 2011, Federal University Oye-Ekiti was established along with twelve other institutions. Prior to being sent to Ekiti, I was in Lokoja. Oye-Ekiti is now the fourth most subscribed university in the nation. Our assessment is not that.
“That is JAMB’s evaluation, taking into account the quantity of applications and other factors. After 14 years, we currently have about 55,000 students. After 14 years, we are currently at number 15. These are noteworthy accomplishments that are not widely reported. For trivial reasons, we are currently in the headlines.
“Are you aware? Please have such background as well. As we spread these unfavorable rumors, we ought to quickly discuss the university’s outstanding accomplishments as well,” Ndoma-Egba continued.
