…says call for VC’s suspension is prejudicial and unfair
A group, Campaign for Justice and Fair Play (CJFP), has criticised the National Women’s Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) over what it described as hateful comments against the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, in connection with unfounded allegations of sexual harassment made by a female staff member of the university, Folasade Adebayo.
The SSANU Women’s Committee had criticised the VC at SSANU’s 50th National Executive Council meeting, held at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, where the National Women’s Coordinator, Mrs. Ijeoma Kalu, demanded the immediate suspension of Prof. Abayomi Fasina. This was further emphasised in an online publication titled: “SSANU Women’s Committee Demands Justice for Victim of Sexual Harassment at FUOYE,” thereby creating a false impression that Mrs. Adebayo had been sexually harassed by the VC.
In a swift response, the Chairman of CJFP, Dr. Calistus Jemade, said: “What the SSANU Women’s Committee is doing is cheap blackmail against the Vice-Chancellor of the university. There are several factors to consider in this complex case. Firstly, it is wrong, very unfair, and prejudicial to the women’s struggle to call for the suspension of the VC when a prima facie case has not been established against him. As a man, he also deserves a fair hearing in such a sensitive matter. The SSANU Women’s Committee cannot hide behind a confused interpretation of the women’s struggle to destabilise an ongoing process.
“Most importantly, the University Governing Council, in its wisdom as an autonomous body, has set up a committee to investigate the matter. Why, then, is the SSANU Women’s Committee in such a hurry, rather than waiting for the outcome of the committee’s report? Our position is that the SSANU Women’s Committee cannot act as the judge in its own case. They cannot decide what the Governing Council should do. The council consists of men and women of proven integrity with extensive records of service to our nation.
Another crucial factor is that the police, the government agency with the statutory responsibility to investigate such cases, have completed their work. In their report, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo categorically stated that the VC, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, did not sexually harass her. This was documented in a statement signed by Oluwatosin Adesioye Esq on behalf of Adegboruwa Law Firm and made available to the press in December 2024. So, what exactly is the SSANU Women’s Committee’s interest in this matter?”
“It should be noted here that we view this unwarranted attack on the VC as political, and this is why it has taken on such a ridiculous dimension. We have long suspected that there is more to these strange allegations, and we believe there may be a political undertone. Otherwise, the manner in which the promoters of this baseless war are pursuing it would not be so absurd. But we assure them, they will fail.”
