The panel set up by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment against Olabisi Olaleye, a lecturer has submitted its report to the vice-chancellor, Eyitope Ogunbodede.
The Department of International Relations, Faculty of Administration, is currently remarking the scripts of students who took IRS 305, the course taught by Olaleye and another lecturer.
A 400-level student of the department Motunrayo Afolayan has accused Olaleye, of sexually harassing her.
Following Ms Afolayan’s petition to the university’s centre for gender and social policy studies, a seven-member panel chaired by the provost of the institution’s postgraduate college, Professor Yetunde Ajibade, was set up to investigate the matter.
Presenting the panel’s report on Monday, Ajibade said the members discharged their duties without fear or favour.
A statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, noted the university’s zero tolerance for sexual and emotional harassment.
The statement reads in part; “Professor Ogunbodede urged any student or member of the university community to avail themselves of the opportunity of the open door policy of the present administration to report any infringement on their rights by anybody to the appropriate organ of the university for possible investigation and redress.
“Accordingly, the university administration will now present the findings of the panel to the Academic and Promotion Committee of the university for deliberations who, in turn, will present the outcome to the university’ governing council for final decision.”
Olarerwaju said the university would make the final decision on the matter public, even as the vice-chancellor thanked the public for their interest in the university, and pledge to always preserve the academic sanctity and intellectual integrity of the university.
Meanwhile, as a way of ensuring justice and fairness, the Department of International Relations has remarked the course taken by Olaleye, which led to the controversy.
The decision was taken after the department discovered that the results of IRS 305, taught by Olaleye alongside another lecturer, Omolara Akinyemi, were illegally released.
