A faith-based institution like Ajayi Crowther University should be expected to take a firm stand against any form of misconduct, particularly one as grave as sexual assault. However, in a controversial move, the university has reinstated Dr Adeyinka Adeoye, a lecturer found guilty of sexually assaulting two students, and recently appointed him head of the English department.

An insider familiar with the matter told FIJ that this full-blown anomaly started in 2022 after a female student from the Department of English accused Dr Adeoye of sexually assaulting her. After this accusation, another student came forward with a similar allegation.

To investigate the matter, the college set up a disciplinary panel, which found Dr Adeoye guilty. The source said that people expected his employment would be terminated after the guilty verdict, but the university had other plans.

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After the assaulted students graduated in 2022, the university took back the accused to work at the university radio station. In 2023, they reinstated him to the same department to continue his career without any hindrance.

“Not only did the school take the lecturer back, but they are in the process of making him an associate professor. He is now the new head of the English department — the same department that still has staff that testified against him at the panel,” the source told FIJ.

“The school waited until the students graduated and brought back the lecturer in question into the department to continue. This is meant to be a faith-based institution owned by the Anglican Communion.”

FIJ contacted members of the panel for comments on the matter, but none of them was willing to say a word. They directed FIJ to the college spokesperson.

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On Sunday, a man who identified himself as the chaplain of the university called FIJ to ask what it wanted to know about the matter. After speaking with FIJ, he asked, “Should the man’s life be ruined after he has been punished?”

On Monday, Femi Atoyebi, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ajayi Crowther University, called to tell FIJ that it could visit the university premises to learn more about the matter. He also asked FIJ to officially send a list of questions on the matter, saying issues like this are not discussed on the phone. At press time, Atoyebi had yet to answer any of the seven questions FIJ asked him on WhatsApp.