The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, has cleared the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina, of sexual harassment allegations made by a senior lecturer, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau Ibrahim, in Oye-Ekiti.
Following the allegations and persistent calls for an investigation by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), FUOYE chapter, the council in February established a committee to examine the claims. During the council’s recent meeting, Professor Fasina recused himself to allow open deliberation on the committee’s findings.
The council reviewed alleged audio recordings, assisted by a translator, and concluded there was no evidence of sexual harassment, aligning with the outcome of an earlier investigation by the Nigerian Police, during which Adebayo had reportedly stated she was not harassed.
The council further determined that the recordings had been used in an attempt to pressure Professor Fasina into confirming Adebayo as the substantive Director of Works and Services—a role beyond his authority to appoint.
As a result, the council issued a directive for Adebayo to tender a written apology within seven days for bringing the university’s name into disrepute.
Concerns were also raised about the university management’s handling of the case, particularly the decision to backdate Adebayo’s promotion to 2015 in the year 2024.
The council viewed this as preferential treatment and warned against future irregularities in staff promotions.
It has instructed the management to review the backdated promotion.
Additionally, the council announced that the positions of substantive Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services will be officially advertised.