The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a formal investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
This follows a petition from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), who also passed a vote of no confidence in FUOYE’s investigative panel, citing bias and a potential cover-up.
The petition, signed by organizations including BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, Gender Mobile Initiative, among others, called for an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor, on Monday.
The sexual scandal erupted after a January 20, 2025, report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which included audio evidence allegedly capturing Prof. Fasina coercing Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a Deputy Director at FUOYE, into an illicit sexual relationship.
The leaked recordings, now widely circulated, have sparked national outrage, with many questioning the university’s commitment to justice and institutional integrity.
In response to the public outcry, the ICPC has formally taken over the case, gathering evidence, reviewing institutional policies, and questioning key figures involved. The commission’s intervention is seen as a critical step in ensuring transparency, especially as concerns mount over FUOYE’s internal handling of the matter.
Meanwhile, CSOs have outrightly rejected the nine-member panel set up by FUOYE’s Governing Council, arguing that its mandate to probe the victim’s motive for recording and releasing evidence rather than addressing the Vice-Chancellor’s alleged misconduct raises serious concerns about impartiality.
They contend that this approach shifts focus from the accused to the accuser, discouraging victims from speaking out and fostering a culture of impunity within the institution.
The petitioners argue that FUOYE has a troubling track record of mishandling sexual harassment cases, with past incidents involving university officials being allegedly swept under the carpet. They maintain that an independent investigation is the only path to justice, as the university’s internal processes have failed to inspire confidence.
Beyond demanding an impartial probe, the CSOs are pushing for systemic reforms to address workplace harassment in Nigerian universities, as they urged Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to enforce stricter policies that protect staff and students from sexual abuses.
The advocacy coalitions also want the National Assembly’s education committees to investigate FUOYE’s handling of previous harassment cases to prevent further abuses of power. Additionally, they are calling on the Ministry of Women Affairs to collaborate with advocacy groups to ensure stronger legal protections for victims and harsher consequences for perpetrators.
The CSOs have vowed to monitor developments closely, warning against any attempts to protect the Vice-Chancellor from facing the consequences of his alleged actions.
As pressure mounts on both FUOYE and regulatory authorities, the outcome of this probe is expected to set a precedent for how sexual misconduct cases are handled in Nigeria’s higher education system. Many see this as a defining moment that could either reinforce institutional accountability or expose the deep-seated culture of impunity in the country’s academic institutions.