More than a month after 11 Civil Society Organisations petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to take over the sexual harassment investigation of Abayomi Sunday Fasina, the vice chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), the agency has refused to take action.

FIJ had reported how Fasina sexually harassed and intimidated Adebayo Folasade, a female staff of the school, after rejecting his advances.

Worried by the agency’s silence, the CSOs wrote a follow-up letter to the agency and it was received on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: 11 CSOs Ask ICPC to Probe FUOYE VC Abayomi Fasina for Sexual Harassment of Subordinate

In the reminder letter, the CSOs highlighted the evidence of bias demonstrated by a panel the university governing council set up to investigate the VC.

“Our initial petition, which was submitted to your esteemed office and copied to relevant authorities, highlighted the intimidation, procedural injustice, and abuse of power that the victim has suffered,” the CSOs wrote.

“Since then, events have only reinforced the urgency of our call for an independent, transparent, and legally sound intervention:

“The investigative panel set up by the university has demonstrated blatant procedural bias, including denying the victim legal support, relocating the hearing venue without prior notification, and permitting prejudicial testimonies from the accused’s witnesses while scrutinizing the victim’s understanding of sexual harassment rather than the facts of the case.

“The complainant’s younger brother was unlawfully abducted and detained for nearly 48 hours by the Department of State Services (DSS) in what is widely regarded as a retaliatory act orchestrated by the university’s management.

“Despite the committee’s initial three-week mandate, its report has yet to be released, and the vice chancellor, who remains in office, continues to wield administrative influence over the process.

“Shockingly, after the expiration of the initial deadline, the committee arbitrarily granted an additional three weeks without any formal communication to the complainant or the public, further deepening concerns about deliberate delay tactics aimed at shielding the accused from accountability.”

In light of the grievous nature of the misconduct, the groups reminded the ICPC of its statutory responsibility of upholding institutional integrity and justice, stating that its continued silence was a dangerous precedent that could favour sexual abusers like Fasina.

“We wish to draw the attention of the ICPC to its statutory duty to uphold integrity, fairness, and justice in public institutions. This case is emblematic of the systemic abuse of power, institutional cover-ups, and impunity that continue to embolden perpetrators of sexual harassment in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The failure to act decisively undermines public confidence in the ICPCs commitment to fighting corruption and abuse of office,” the petition stated.

“In light of these disturbing developments, we demand the following immediate actions:

“The ICPC assumes jurisdiction over this matter and conducts an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations against Professor Abayomi Fasina.

“The findings of the university’s investigative panel be made public and subjected to an impartial review by a legally competent body.

“That the complainant and her family be granted adequate protection against further intimidation, harassment, or retaliatory actions by FUOYE’s management or any state security apparatus.

“The continued inaction on this case may set a dangerous precedent that perpetuates impunity and emboldens abusers within our institutions. We demand that the ICPC exercise its mandate without fear or favour to restore faith in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms. We are happy to provide additional details as required. The acknowledgement copy of the petition is attached to this letter.”

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: FUOYE VC Abayomi Fasina Confesses: ‘I Paid N20m for the Appointments of Registrar, Bursar’

Meanwhile, the governing council had commenced the process of replacing Fasina as his five-year tenure expires in January.

“The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti at its 35th statutory meeting held on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025, among other things, noted that the offices of two principal officers, namely those of the University Librarian and the Vice Chancellor, will become vacant within the next seven and eleven months respectively,” Mufutau Ibrahim, the registrar and secretary to the council, wrote in a press statement.

“The council considered the matter and agreed to give itself ample time to undergo every stage of the process of the appointments as provided in the extant extant laws and in order to avert any stampeding. In view of this, the council approved a calendar of events leading to the eventual selection of suitable candidates for the positions of University Librarian and Vice Chancellor. It set up a preliminary committee to draft the advertisements for the positions for the consideration of the governing council at its next statutory meeting.”