The management of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, announced on Tuesday the suspension of Dr Desen Mbachaga, a lecturer in the Theatre and Media Arts Department, for alleged sexual harassment.
Mr. Foluso Ogunmodede, the Vice-Chief Chancellor’s Information Officer, stated that Mbachaga, an associate professor, was suspended “on the basis of prima facie evidence of sexual harassment established against him by a panel set up by the institution’s Faculty of Arts, which investigated the allegation.”
“The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fasina, has set up a five-member committee to further probe the allegation with a view to getting to the root of the allegation of sexual harassment against the embattled lecturer,” Ogunmodede said in a statement titled, “FUOYE suspends lecturer over alleged sexual harassment.”
He said the suspension, which was with immediate effect, would pave the way for the committee to further probe the allegation.
Ogunmodede added, “The VC, who has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of sexual harassment against students of the institution, has consequently approved the suspension of Dr Mbachaga to allow for proper investigation of the matter.
“Besides, the VC has also mandated the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof Tajudeen Opoola, to conduct a proper investigation into another allegation of sexual harassment against another lecturer in the same department and submit the report in due time for necessary action.”
According to him, the current management of the university will do its best to clean the system of all vices.
