SAVE OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS GROUP (SOTI), OTHER CSO's CONDEMNS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S BIASED STANCE ON VC’S SUSPENSION, ACCUSES HIM OF PROTECTING THE ACCUSED

Akin Akinsoluga

SOTI has expressed deep disappointment over the statement credited to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Victor Ndoma-Egba, regarding the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Fasina, amid serious allegations.

Ndoma-Egba, while speaking to FIJ, defended the council’s decision not to suspend the Vice-Chancellor, stating:

“There is no law that says when they are investigating somebody, he must be placed on suspension. It depends on the facts and the evidence available. The circumstances and facts are different. We need to get to the truth first before knowing what the justice of the situation is.”

SOTI finds this statement not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to shield the Vice-Chancellor from accountability, despite clear precedents of management staff, academic and non teaching staff being suspended under similar circumstances, particularly over sexual harassment complaints and other misconduct. As FIJ rightly noted:

“Their expectation stemmed from the precedents obtained in the university when several academic staff were suspended while being investigated over sexual harassment complaints and other matters.”

Council Chairman’s Bias and Injustice Against Whistleblowers

It is utterly mischievous and hypocritical for the Council Chairman to claim there is no law requiring the suspension of an accused person under investigation when the same Governing Council hurriedly suspended union leaders for whistleblowing allegations against the VC. Shockingly, the chairman suspended these union leaders in his private office in Abuja, even before setting foot on the university campus he was appointed to oversee. These individuals remain on suspension till this day, a clear indication of double standards and bias.

This brazen act of injustice and selective discipline sends a disturbing message that the victims of alleged misconduct and those who dare to speak out will not get justice under this council’s leadership. If union leaders could be suspended without hesitation for exposing corruption and harassment, why is the Vice-Chancellor being shielded under the guise of “getting to the truth first”?

Disturbing Statements on Sexual Harassment

Ndoma-Egba’s questionable stance on sexual misconduct allegations is not new. During his courtesy visit to the university at the Oloye's Palace and while meeting with the staff Unions, he reportedly made a shocking remark trivializing sexual harassment, saying:

“Anyone can woo any woman, either married or single. It is not a man that the VC will woo.”

This statement, coming from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former distinguished senator, is highly disturbing and insensitive. It not only trivializes allegations of sexual misconduct but also reflects the extent of his compromise in the ongoing matter.

A Council That Has Lost Credibility

The governing council under Ndoma-Egba has shown clear bias and disregard for fairness in handling serious allegations. It is apparent that instead of upholding justice and protecting the integrity of the university, the council is more interested in shielding the Vice-Chancellor while punishing those who demand accountability.

SOTI and concerned stakeholders call on the relevant authorities, including the Federal Government, anti-corruption agencies, and human rights organizations, to step in and ensure that justice is not derailed. The selective application of discipline and the normalization of misconduct must be condemned in the strongest terms.

If Nigeria’s academic institutions are to maintain their integrity, such blatant bias and protection of alleged wrongdoers at the highest levels must not be allowed to stand.