By CHARLES IWUOHA

The law firm of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and Co, lawyers to the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, have reacted to the recent online publications disseminating baseless allegations against its client.

These publications, attributed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE Branch, and certain individuals, allege misconduct ranging from sexual harassment and victimization to abuse of office, financial mismanagement, and non-compliance with university service schemes.

In a statement signed by Oluwatosin Adesioye, Esq on behalf of Adegboruwa law firm and made available to News Express on Tuesday, by emphasized the need to address the unsubstantiated accusations and provide accurate information, refuting the false narratives presented in these publications.

The statement reads: ?We act as solicitors to the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (the Vice-Chancellor) in relation to certain online publications on certain phantom allegations without proof. The publications purport to relay allegations of sexual harassment, victimisation, abuse of office, financial mismanagement and non-compliance with university service schemes, all levelled against the Vice-Chancellor by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University, Oye-Ekiti branch (SSANU-FUOYE Branch) and some other disgruntled persons. As retained Solicitors to the Vice-Chancellor, we have found it imperative to put the facts straight while rebutting the criminal allegations and imputations directed at the Vice-Chancellor.

Beginning with the headliner ? ??Sexual Harassment, Victimisation Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor,? the narrative that Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo, a Deputy Director, Works and Service Unit of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (the Institution), was subjected to harassment and later victimization after resisting the advances from the Vice-Chancellor is entirely false and unfounded as such weighty and criminal allegations have been referred and reported to the Nigeria Police Force since year 2023. Under and by virtue of section 4 of the Nigeria Police Establishment Act, 2020, it is the police that is empowered with statutory authority to investigate and prosecute all criminal acts of alleged sexual harassment.

?We wish to state for the record that the Nigeria Police carried out its investigations of the allegations of alleged sexual harassment and victimisation of Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo, abuse of office and official corruption, directed at the Vice-Chancellor to which a final and conclusive investigative report absolving the Vice-Chancellor has been released.

?In the course of the police investigation, it was settled unequivocally that there are no evidence of infractions by the Vice-Chancellor (and his management team) on fraud, fraudulent practices, official corruption, inflation of contract amongst other crimes alleged in the petition made against the Vice-Chancellor. As a matter of fact, Engr. Folasade O. Adebayo expressly and voluntarily concurred in writing to the ABSENCE of any sexual harassment or advances by the Vice- Chancellor against her person.

?One then wonders what other statutory/enforcement role should be carried further in respect of the same allegations of sexual harassment and victimization under reference, when the Nigeria Police Force, as statutorily mandated under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020 in carrying out its duties to prevent and detect crimes, has fulfilled the constitutional duties and covered the field as required by law over the now spent allegations and claims under reference.

?This also extends to the professed allegation of abuse of office, financial mismanagement and failure to comply with university service schemes all of which have previously been submitted to the office of the Pro-Chancellor of the Institution for investigation to which the Vice-Chancellor has not been found wanting in carrying out his duties, a confirmation of the Vice-Chancellor?s adherence to the principles of good governance and due process.

?Hence, these false accusations that have already been independently reviewed by the institution?s Governing Council, headed by the erstwhile Pro-Chancellor, Engr. Kayode Ojo, have strangely resurfaced following the recent appointment of a new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institution. The fact therefore remains that the instant resort to misleading narratives now been peddled by Saharah Reporters, is a further revelation of the outright desperation by some disgruntled elements within the SSANU-FUOYE Branch to coerce and unjustly exploit the Vice Chancellor into yielding to their selfish schemes and ambitions all to the detriment of the Institution.

?It is regrettable that despite the issuance of a clean bill of health to the Vice-Chancellor confirming the latter has acted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in respect of the management of the Institution, the same complainant has approached Sahara Reporters to publish these serious allegations without first reaching out to the Vice-Chancellor or the University?s management for any clarification or position.

?This breach of journalistic ethics demonstrates a clear intent to ridicule and tarnish the Vice ? Chancellor?s impeccable reputation.

?Under section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) true and responsible journalism mandates fairness, accuracy and balance. Sadly, the publication under reference falls short of these standards, contributing to the spread of falsehoods and misinformation, all of which we seek to correct with this Rejoinder.

?The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has demonstrated unwavering commitment, through transparency and accountability to the growth and success of the Institution, which has led to University being amongst the top sought-after tertiary institutions in Nigeria by candidates and their parents.

?These malicious attacks will however not deter him from his responsibilities to pilot the Institution even to greater heights. In the mean, we shall continue to advise the Vice ? Chancellor while awaiting further instruction in pursuing his right and integrity.?

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