Authorities of the Ambrose Alli University ( AAU ), Ekpoma have suspended the institutionโs chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Monday Igbafen over alleged sexual harassment.
Prof. Igbafen who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy was alleged to have been threatening female students with marks for sex.
A press statement signed by the universityโs spokesman, Mr. Edward Aihevba, said the suspension followed the arraignment of Prof. Igbafen before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC) on allegations of gross misconduct bordering on sexual harassment and threat of marks for sex.
Aihevba said Prof. Igbafen has earlier been found culpable and indicted by an investigative panel of the University for the Offence of sexual harassment.
He said a family of a female victim had threatened to drag the institution before the ICPC if it failed to bring Prof. Igbafen to book.
According to the statement, โOn receipt of the petition, the university management asked for his comments. His response was found unsatisfactory. He was therefore arraigned before the SSDC.
โAs due process demands, he has been suspended from the university pending the determination of the allegation leveled against him.
โHe is therefore not allowed to participate or involved in any university duties or functions except those related to SSDC during the period of his suspension.โ
Responding, Prof. Igbafen said he would expose the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ignacious Onimawo, to the world that blackmail does not work within the university.
Prof. Igbafen said the suspension was part of a grand plan to intimidate ASUU chapter of the university.
He said the VC has a personal vendetta against him.
THE NATION
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