Crisis rocks Benin varsity over ‘Sex for marks’ scandal

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the weekend condemned in totality the suspension of the branch chairman of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Dr Monday Igbafen, over a case of alleged sexual harassment and ‘sex for marks’.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by its zonal coordinator, Fred I. Esumeh, and four others and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

Esumeh said the zone, having received the updates on the said allegations, decided to fault the university management’s choice of reawakening the said case that was previously investigated and closed in 2012.

“The attention of the zone is drawn to the purported suspension of the branch chairperson of ASUU, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, M. Igbafen on the allegation of sexual harassment and sex for marks.

“Having received updates on the issue, the zone resolved to condemn in totality the suspension of the branch chairperson of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma over a case that was previously investigated and closed in 2012,” he said.

The zonal coordinator said all actions put up by the the Vice Chancellor of the university of Ekpoma towards some of the leaders of the union in the institution is to waken and intimidate its members.

“The zone notes the onslaught of the Vice Chancellor, as it is clear that the Vice Chancellor is poised to emasculate the union through the series of queries being handed to some of its leaders at the branch.

“The zone also notes that the branch chairperson of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, was never summoned to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma before being summarily pronounced guilty by the the same university administration”, he said.

He further advised the University Governing Council to take a proper look into the issue and uphold fairness and justice in the matter.

Responding, the AAU Public Relations Officer, Mr. Edward Aihevba, said the issue at stake has nothing to do with the ASUU Benin Zone, saying that it is an AAU internal affair.

He said the school management did not suspend Igbafen as the ASUU AAU chairman but rather for his activities.

He however said that the ASUU Benin Zone has the right to express their own opinions.