The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) in Ekiti State has launched a formal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Dr. Anthony Agbegbedia, a lecturer in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. The university’s swift action comes in the wake of a damning report published by SaharaReporters last week, which brought to light accusations made by a final-year student against the embattled lecturer.
As tensions mount on the FUOYE campus, the university administration has moved quickly to address the scandal. A panel has been constituted to investigate the allegations, signaling the institution’s commitment to addressing the issue head-on.
“The university takes these allegations extremely seriously,” stated Dr. Oluwaseun Adebayo, FUOYE’s Public Relations Officer, in an exclusive interview. “We have formed a panel of distinguished academics and administrators to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.”
In a parallel move, the university has extended an invitation to the father of the student who brought forward the accusations, underscoring the gravity with which the institution is treating the case.
At the heart of the controversy are claims made by a final-year student, who alleges that Dr. Agbegbedia deliberately failed her after she rebuffed his persistent sexual advances. The student, whose identity remains protected, asserts that the lecturer manipulated her academic results in retaliation for her rejection of his inappropriate demands.
Speaking to our reporter on condition of anonymity, a classmate of the accuser shared, “It’s been an open secret among students for a while now. Many of us have heard rumors, but this is the first time someone has been brave enough to come forward.”
In an unexpected twist to the unfolding drama, Dr. Agbegbedia has reportedly threatened legal action against the student’s father. According to the father, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Monday, the lecturer is demanding a staggering N500,000,000 in damages for alleged defamation.
He sexually harassed my daughter, and now he has the audacity to threaten me with a lawsuit,” the father stated, his voice tinged with anger and disbelief. “This is the highest form of injustice. I won’t bow to such threats.”
Despite the legal pressure, the father remains resolute in his pursuit of justice for his daughter. He has instructed his own lawyer to take legal action, setting the stage for what could be a protracted legal battle.
Even as the case threatens to escalate into a full-blown legal confrontation, there have been behind-the-scenes efforts to resolve the matter amicably. Dr. Agbegbedia’s lawyer, Peter Ekavwo Esq., has reached out to the student’s father in an attempt to broker a settlement.
In a recorded conversation obtained by our reporter, Ekavwo can be heard appealing to the father’s sense of humanity. “We are not even concerned about the fact that his reputation has been damaged because of this matter,” Ekavwo stated. We just want to seek your forgiveness and collaboration. As human beings, we all make mistakes, and the man has shown remorse.”
However, these overtures appear to have fallen on deaf ears, with the student’s father maintaining his stance on pursuing legal action.
As news of the investigation spreads across the FUOYE campus, reactions from students and faculty have been mixed. Many express support for the accuser and applaud the university’s decision to investigate.
“It’s about time something was done,” said Janet Okafor, a third-year student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. “We’ve heard whispers about this kind of behavior for years, but nothing ever seemed to happen.”
Others, however, caution against rushing to judgment. Professor Emmanuel Adegbite of the Department of Sociology urged for due process: “While we must take these allegations seriously, it’s crucial that we allow the investigation to run its course before drawing conclusions.”
As the FUOYE community grapples with these troubling allegations, the case has ignited a broader conversation about power dynamics in Nigerian universities and the mechanisms in place to protect students from abuse.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the investigative panel begins its work. All eyes are on FUOYE to see how the institution will navigate this delicate situation, balancing the need for a thorough investigation with the imperative to protect the rights and dignity of all parties involved.
For now, the campus remains a hotbed of speculation and debate. Students gather in small groups between classes, discussing the latest developments in hushed tones. Faculty members exchange concerned glances in department corridors, aware that the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for academic life at FUOYE and beyond.
As night falls on the university town of Oye-Ekiti, the weight of unresolved questions hangs heavy in the air. Will justice be served? Can the truth be uncovered? And perhaps most importantly, will this case serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in how sexual harassment is addressed in Nigerian universities?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the reverberations of this case will be felt long after the investigative panel delivers its findings. For the students, faculty, and administration of FUOYE, this is more than just an isolated incident – it’s a moment of reckoning that could shape the future of the institution for years to come.
