RAPE: UNIBEN hand over lecturer to Police

The management of the University of Benin has referred  alleged rape case of a female student by a lecturer of the Department of English and Literature identified as, Dr. Bode Steve Ekundayo .

UNIBEN spokesperson , Dr. Benedicta Ehanire disclosed in a statement that the lecturer involved Dr. Ekundayo, has also been issued a query and placed on interdiction pending the conclusion of investigations by the Police.

News of the alleged rape, which was said to have been committed on October 5 in the lecturer’s office, broke out on Wednesday.

According to Ehanire in the statement on Thursday, a preliminary report on the issue has been submitted to the management of the university.

“A security report of preliminary investigation into alleged rape and detention of a 400 Level female student of the Department of English and Literature, University of Benin, by a lecturer in the department has been submitted to the management of the university.

“Considering the gravity of the allegations and legal issues involved, the matter has been referred to the Police for further investigation.

“Management is, however, not oblivious of its responsibility of ensuring proper conduct by both staff and students of the university.

“Accordingly, management has directed that the lecturer, Dr. Bode Steve Ekundayo, be issued a query and placed on interdiction pending the conclusion of investigations by the Police.

“These are in line with internal mechanisms as contained in the Regulations Governing the Service of Senior Staff of the University, 2017.

“Management assures staff, students, parents and other stakeholders that investigations will be pursued to its logical conclusion to ensure that justice is served,” the statement added.

University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The School currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties including a central library called John Harris Library.