A lecturer at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State, Dr Monday Igbafen, has been suspended by the institution’s authorities over alleged sexual harassment and threats of sex for marks.
Igbafen is also the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in the varsity.
The sex scandal story broke months after a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Pro. Richard Akindele, was jailed for a similar offence.
According to a report in ‘Leadership’, Igbafen’s suspension order was contained in ‘University’s News Bulletin’, dated 13th February and signed by the Deputy Registrar information/Public Relations Officer, Edward Aihevba, titled “Suspension of Dr. M.L. Ugandan, associate professor in the department of philosophy.”
The statement reads in part:
“The university community is hereby informed that Dr. M. L. Igbafen, Associate Professor in the department of philosophy, has been suspended from duty, following his arraignment before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC) on allegation of gross misconduct bordering on sexual harassment and threats of marks for sex.
“He had earlier been accused of this offence and an investigative panel set up, which found him culpable and indicted. Recently, there was petition by the family of the female student involved, asking that Dr. M. L. Igbafen be brought to book, failing which the university management would be reported to ICPC for failure to act.”
Igbafen, however, denied the act, saying he was only being blackmailed.
He was quoted as saying, “If you have been monitoring development in AAU, Ekpoma, you will not be surprised that a paper like that is coming from the university administration. It is the climax of a desperate vice chancellor who has so many things to hide, which we will bring to the press. We have been battling the VC who wants to impose himself on the university. I am doing my job as ASUU chairman. There have been several attempts to compromise me, but I refused, and when they discovered that they are unable to compromise me, the next thing is to resort to blackmail.”
