…as staff and Nigerians condemn what they describe as irresponsible journalism
Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and a distinguished scientist currently on accumulated annual and research leave, has taken legal action against Sahara Reporters, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and Mrs. Folasade Adebayo. The lawsuit follows the publication of a sexual harassment allegation, which Fasina and several staff members have denounced as baseless and defamatory.
Concerned staff and Nigerians have openly criticised Sahara Reporters for what they describe as a reckless dissemination of false information, calling for greater journalistic accountability and ethical reporting.
Angry FUOYE staff and other Nigerians, who claimed to have read the latest report by Sahara Reporters entitled, “Suspended FUOYE VC Sues Sahara Reporters, FIJ Over leaked Audio Of harassment allegation by married Staff Member ‘Without His Consent’”, expressed their displeasure at the media outlet for what they describe as a pattern of publishing false and defamatory content about Professor Fasina.
The description of Professor Fasina as a “suspended VC” particularly incited outrage, given that he is only on a six-month accumulated and research leave commencing from 14 April 2025, as officially communicated by FUOYE’s Governing Council, chaired by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.
Nonetheless, Sahara Reporters continued to portray Professor Fasina as “suspended”, thereby disseminating misleading information to the Nigerian public and the international audience. A FUOYE staff member, who spoke under condition of anonymity, remarked:
“A news platform like Sahara Reporters ought to have been deplatformed by now due to its lack of credibility and blatant disregard for journalistic ethics. They appear to target high-profile individuals, including government officials and even the Presidency, with damaging and unfounded reports. One cannot help but suspect a deliberate smear campaign.”
Another staff member, also speaking anonymously due to civil service regulations, added: “The prevalence of platforms like Sahara Reporters only serves to worsen the state of journalism in Nigeria. It is worrying that regulatory bodies have not sanctioned them adequately, despite their repeated publication of fake news and their detrimental impact on national cohesion.”
In response to the reports, Professor Fasina has filed a lawsuit against Sahara Reporters, another online platform—the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)—and a senior FUOYE staff member, Engineer (Mrs) Folasade Adebayo, for allegedly defaming his character and reputation. The suit, filed at the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti Judicial Division, Ekiti State (Suit No. HAD/58/2025), lists Professor Fasina as the claimant, with Engineer Mrs Adebayo, FIJ (FIJ.ng), and Sahara Reporters as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.
Represented by counsel T.S. Adegboyega, Esq., Professor Fasina is seeking N250 million in damages. He alleges that the defendants maliciously circulated an audio recording and published accompanying reports that defamed him and caused substantial reputational damage.In his statement of claim, Professor Fasina contends that the audio was obtained and circulated without his consent, and that its publication constitutes cyberbullying, cyberstalking, defamation, and blackmail.
He stated: “The audio recording and related publication by the defendants contained baseless and malicious allegations of sexual harassment and victimisation, clearly intended to tarnish my reputation.”
According to the suit, the second defendant (FIJ), allegedly acting at the instigation of the first defendant (Mrs. Adebayo), circulated the recording on 20 and 29 January 2025 via its website, www.fij.ng, alleging that Professor Fasina harassed and victimised Mrs Adebayo.
One of the exhibits in the case is a report published by FIJ on 20 January 2025, titled: “EXCLUSIVE: HOW FUOYE VC Abayomi Fasina pressed married colleague for sexual relationship against her will (1)”, written by Sodeeq Atanda, who has also been joined as a defendant. Professor Fasina also referenced a letter by Mrs. Adebayo dated 17 September 2024, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUOYE’s Governing Council, in which she wrote:
“Of greatest concern to me is the false and damaging allegation that I attempted to seduce the Vice Chancellor. This accusation is completely without merit. On the contrary, it was the Vice Chancellor who made multiple inappropriate advances towards me, which I firmly rejected.”
In reply, Fasina submitted a 14-page response dated 27 September 2024, titled: “Clarifications on the Complaints from Engr. Folasade Adebayo: Expression of Gratitude and Records of Grievances”, in which he denied all allegations and provided his account of events. He further asserted that an internal investigation conducted by FUOYE’s Governing Council and its relevant committees cleared him of any wrongdoing. A Certified True Copy of the Council’s investigative report, dated April 2025, affirms this exoneration.
Additionally, Professor Fasina noted that a separate petition filed by a civil society organisation, Peace Initiatives, was investigated by the Nigeria Police Force. The police report, dated 21 March 2024, also cleared him of all allegations, including sexual harassment, abuse of office, and intimidation. Despite these findings, Sahara Reporters proceeded to publish a report on 30 November 2024 titled: “University Staff SSANU in Ekiti Petition Minister to Probe Sexual Harassment, Victimisation Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor”, thereby worsening the reputational harm to Professor Fasina. He claims: “Since the circulation of the audio recordings and defamatory reports by FIJ and Sahara Reporters, I have received numerous phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and visits from concerned colleagues, family, and professional contacts in Nigeria and abroad.”
According to Fasina, the publications were maliciously intended to damage his hard-earned reputation as an academic, public servant, and Christian leader:
“The defamatory words suggested criminality, professional misconduct, and a lack of moral standing, thereby lowering my estimation among peers, stakeholders, and the general public.”
The reliefs sought by Professor Fasina in his suit include: “A declaration that the audio recording and its circulation, along with the accompanying falsehoods, constitute slander; A declaration that the unauthorised publication by the defendants amounts to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and blackmail; An award of exemplary or aggravated damages in the sum of N250,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira); A court order directing the defendants to publish a retraction and public apology in three national newspapers and on their digital platforms; A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or circulating any similar or defamatory materials, and N20,000,000.00 as the cost of litigation.”
