A lecturer at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu, has said that he cannot say much now on the allegation that he sexually harassed an admission seeker.
Igbeneghu has been suspended both by his church – Gospel Square – and UNILAG, following a film released by BBC, in which he allegedly made sexual advances to the lady who is, however, an undercover reporter for BBC.
“I work for the University of Lagos; if you want any reaction, talk to the university,” Igbeneghu said.
“Contact the information unit and they will tell you the correct position.
“If I talk, I will be running foul of the varsity law. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on me to say beyond what I have said,” he told ‘The Punch’.
Meanwhile, the University of Lagos management on Monday suspended the lecturer at the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, Faculty of Arts.
The Principal Assistant Registrar (Communication Unit), Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede in a statement said the management at its emergency meeting of October 7, 2019 suspended Dr. Igbeneghu from work
immediately and barred him from the university academic areas while the suspension subsists unless invited
by a Panel constituted by the University to investigate the matter.
In addition to this, the University Management has ordered the shutdown of the Staff Club “Cold Room”
mentioned in the documentary for further investigation. The so-called “Cold Room” is a Functions Room
that may have been abused because this is a deviation from the purpose for which it was created (meetings,
seminars, events, etc.).
The University assures members of the public that any other lecturer mentioned in the full version of the
operation which is to be aired later today, will also be suspended to ensure a proper investigation is carried
out.
The University is embarrassed and dissociates itself totally from this act(s) and any inappropriate behaviour
of staff with female students and vice versa. The University has a well-articulated “Policy on Sexual
Harassment, Sexual and Romantic Relationships”. A copy of the University Sexual Harassment Policy was
distributed to all members of staff and can also be obtained on the University website:
https://unilag.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/SEXUAL-HARRASMENT-UNILAG-COMMUNICATION-UNITS.pdf
Various Committees over time have been set up to investigate reports received and those found
guilty/culpable were sanctioned. To ensure our students are aware of the various opportunities for
reporting any form of sexual harassment or misconduct towards them, the University organises an
orientation programme for all new entrants sensitising them of the University’s zero-tolerance policy and
acquainting them with the mechanisms for reporting.
The University Counselling Centre, Medical Centre and Division of Students’ Affairs amongst other organs
have been well positioned to address complaints by students. These organs have cut off the bureaucracy
limiting the effectiveness of the Policy, by the direct reporting system of these Centres to the Vice-
Chancellor. The University encourages students who have evidence to come forward. They are assured of
their anonymity and safety.
As a reputable Institution and one of the foremost Universities in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa, we are
highly embarrassed by these allegations and we will do all that is necessary to ensure that this menace is
checked in our institution.
