NIJ dismisses Lecturer over sexual assault
The Nigerian Institute of Journalism has sacked one of its
lecturers, Mr Tene John, over alleged sexual assault on one of its students, Ms
Anjola Ogunyemi.
His sack was, according to Punch Metro report, announced by the NIJ in an official release
signed by its Registrar and circulated on its official social media handles on
Monday.
Lecturers in the journalism institute confirmed the
authenticity of the release to our correspondent on the telephone.
The PUNCH gathered that Ogunyemi had accused Tene of
attempting to forcefully have sexual intercourse with her in his office.
The student, who subsequently petitioned the institute and
demanded probe, said she has arrived at the institute for a morning lecture
when the incident happened.
Upon investigation, the institute relieved Tene of his job
and warned other lecturers and students to desist from such an act.
The release read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a
post on the social media, by one of our students, Ms Anjola Ogunyemi in
National Diploma One, alleging sexual harassment against one of our part-time
lecturers, Mr Tene John.
“Ms Ogunyemi’s petition to the school on the alleged sexual
harassment was received on December 19, 2019 – the day of our vacation. And the
Provost called her on that same day to acknowledge the receipt of her petition,
assuring her that the matter will be looked into appropriately.
“The institution, thereafter, set up a panel of three
lecturers: two females and a male. The panel sat and took evidence from the two
parties and witnesses concerned. On Friday, January 17, 2020 – the last day of
its sitting, the accused and the accuser were made to confront each other at
the panel.
“It was difficult for the panel to establish concretely a
case of sexual harassment in its report because there were glaring
contradictions in the testimonies of the two parties and witnesses.
“We wish to place on record that Ms Ogunyemu walked out on
the panel and ran to the social media to tell her story on the day the panel’s
final sitting.
“In view of our institution’s zero tolerance for improper
conduct on the part of the staff and students, and in light of the interest the
matter has generated, the following decisions have been taken: the lecturer
concerned, Mr Tene, who has been on our faculty for over a decade has been
relieved of his appointment, we thank him for his services and wish him the
best of luck in his future endeavours.
“Ms Ogunyemi, who has just returned from a one-year
suspension over indecent dressing and gross misconduct is advised to adhere
strictly to her matriculation oath of channeling her grievances to the
authorities of the institution.
“We wish to reiterate that our staff and students are
governed by rules and regulations and it is important we comply accordingly.”
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