The Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, has officially cleared Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, of the sexual harassment accusations brought against him by a senior lecturer, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo.
This development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Oye-Ekiti by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim.
In a decisive move, the council has ordered Adebayo to tender a formal apology to the council within a seven-day period.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, the council had constituted an investigative panel in February to probe the allegations, following persistent demands for action by the FUOYE chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.
“The council asked the vice chancellor to excuse himself from the meeting to ensure free and open deliberation on the findings of the committee set up to look into the case,” the statement noted.
The council disclosed that audio evidence related to the case was thoroughly examined by all members, aided by a translator, and discussed in detail.
“Members held that there was no sexual harassment, which equally confirms the earlier investigation by the Nigerian police, where Adebayo made a statement that she was not sexually harassed,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the council concluded that the said audio recordings were being used as a tool of blackmail to pressure Prof. Fasina into confirming Adebayo as the substantive Director of Works and Services, an appointment outside his purview.
“Council directed that Adebayo be warned for bringing the name of the university to disrepute. She is directed to write a letter of apology to the council within seven days,” the council said.
The university council also expressed concerns over the way the university’s management handled the issue, especially in granting Adebayo preferential treatment by retroactively promoting her to a 2015 status in 2024.
The council cautioned the university leadership against repeating such irregularities in future staff promotions and mandated a review of Adebayo’s backdated promotion.
Additionally, the council announced that the posts of substantive Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services would soon be opened for applications.
