Why Aggrieved FUOYE Staff Insists VC, Professor Abayomi Fasina Must Be Suspended?

By Oluronke Kuku

The Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has in recent times been embroiled in a controversy surrounding the suspension of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina.

Advertisement

---

He is facing calls for his suspension pending the outcome of a sexual harassment investigation. This demand is fueled by Fasina’s own track record of suspending staff members without investigation.

Aggrieved staff of the Federal University located in Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State have argued why their Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina has not been suspended by the Institution’s Governing Council led by Senator Udo Udoma despite setting up a 9-member Investigation Panel to investigate his involvement in the allegations of sexual harassment of his staff among other issues.

The aggrieved staff have however raised questions on why the authorities found it easy to suspend previous staff who had involved in unlawful acts in the Institution but have only asked him (the VC) to excuse them at meetings.

They express worry and concern why the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina was quick to previously suspend some of the staff of the Institution in the likes of Mr. Bosun Odunsanya, a former Registrar of the Institution who was suspended to facilitate an impartial inquiry into his actions while in office before being sacked eventually.

Advertisement

---

Another case was that of Mrs. Bolatito Akande, a former Bursar of the Institution who was also suspended and later sacked from office to ensure transparency during the investigative process.

One Mr. Gbadeyan was also suspended before he was investigated.

Mr. Saka Odunjo, another staff of the university was also suspended paving way for his proper investigations for the allegations of misconduct.

Advertisement

---

The staff also queried why Professor Abayomi Fasina has refused to be suspended just as he did to Mr Benjamin Falaye and Mrs Ayomikun Aluko who are the Chairman and Secretary of the Senior Staff Association Of Nigerian Universities, FUOYE Branch after alleging them of bias during the Congress of the Union conveyed to address issues of welfare of their members.

Beyond FUOYE, the aggrieved also posited how similar actions have been taken at higher levels of governance, such as the suspension of Mrs. Beta Edu, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Her suspension and subsequent investigation demonstrated how this principle extends beyond academic institutions to government offices, underscoring its universal importance in maintaining the credibility of any organization or system.

They owed the view that Professor Fasina cannot enjoy what he repeatedly opposed for other staff, and called for justice to prevail by allowing him to step aside for a proper and unbiased investigations.

Advertisement

---

Aggrieved staff members have equally insisted that Professor Fasina must be suspended pending the final determination of the sexual harassment case against him.

They also cite the example of Walter Onoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, who was suspended immediately after allegations of misconduct were made against him.

The staff members insist that Fasina’s suspension is essential to ensure a level playing ground for all parties involved. They demand that the investigation committee must include a representative from the Victim’s Union (SSANU) to ensure balance and acceptability.

Advertisement

---