Hours after the embattled Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria, Abayomi Fasina, proceeded on a six-month leave following a sex scandal, a group under the aegis of the FUOYE Progressive Group (FPG) rejected what it described as the institution’s governing council’s decision to offer him a “soft landing”.
Disgruntled by the approval of leave for Mr Fasina, the group also called for the dissolution of the university’s governing council.
In a petition addressed to the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, the group accused Mr Fasina of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, and gross administrative misconduct.
It noted that the approval of leave by the council is not only ethically questionable but also reflects a level of complicity and compromise unbecoming of a university’s governing council.
Background
The council of the university had at its 8th extraordinary meeting on 8 April, cleared Mr Fasina of allegations of sexual harassment and corrupt practices levelled against him by a female Deputy Director, Folasade Adebayo
Dissatisfied by the council’s decision, the institution’s chapter of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) called for its immediate dissolution, citing a lack of integrity in handling serious allegations against the VC.
According to the union, the actions of the council, “which is supposed to serve as a beacon of leadership and ethics, have compromised the reputation of both the university and the broader educational system.”
According to FPG’s petition, the council could not approve a leave request for the VC at its last meeting.
“However, in a dramatic and suspicious turn of events, the council hurriedly approved his leave on 14 April, effective the same date. This rushed approval coincidentally on the same day the leave is to commence is a clear attempt to shield the VC from suspension and investigation. Such actions undermine accountability, transparency, and the sanctity of university governance.”
Though the university’s Public Relations Officer, Foluso Ogunmodede in a two-paragraph statement issued by the university and signed by the Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, said that the governing council approved the request by the vice chancellor to embark on his accumulated leave.
FPG’s concerns
The group has accused the governing council of complicity and bias in the handling of Mr Fasina’s case, saying its continued protection of him despite weighty allegations speaks volumes about entrenched interests and a deliberate attempt to suppress the truth.
It also accused the council of lacking integrity and violating administrative ethics and precedent in the approval of his leave.
“Approving leave on the same day it commences is procedurally and administratively improper. Also, allowing a suspect in a matter of public misconduct to go on leave rather than be suspended contradicts the standard disciplinary process in public institutions.
“The University Act and public service rules stipulate suspension, not leave, in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety to prevent interference with investigations. It is ethically wrong for a council that has shown bias in handling such allegations to remain in office while a new, independent investigation should commence,” the petition reads in part.
While it commended the Education Minister for initiating a process to investigate the matter, it called for the immediate dissolution of the governing council to allow an independent and unbiased investigation.
Demands
The group in its petition has urged the Education Minister to recall Mr Fasina, from what it described as a ‘purported leave’ and instead place him on immediate suspension, in line with public service rules and university regulations.
It also asked for the immediate dissolution of the FUOYE Governing Council, accusing its members of being biased, compromised, and unprofessional in the way they have handled recent issues in the university.
FPG further recommended the constitution of an independent investigative panel, to be drawn from the Federal Ministry of Education.
The panel, it said, should be tasked with probing wide-ranging allegations, including sexual harassment of female staff and students, misappropriation and embezzlement of university funds, abuse of office, and persistent violations of procurement laws and due process.
In addition to scrutinising the vice-chancellor and his administration, the group demanded for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the governing council itself, saying it should be held accountable for enabling impunity and suppressing due process.
“The university system in Nigeria must not be allowed to degenerate into a safe haven for misconduct and cover-ups. The decision to approve leave for Mr Fasina instead of placing him under disciplinary suspension is a direct affront to the values of justice, fairness, and administrative propriety.”
