The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has sacked one of its lecturers, Tene John, for alleged sexual assault on a student, Anjola Ogunyemi.
Mr Tene, a part-time lecturer in the institute, was accused of attempting to force himself on the student in his office.
Ms Ogunyemi said she arrived at the institute for a morning lecture when the incident happened. The student petitioned the institute and demanded a probe.
The NIJ, however, announced Tene’s sack on Monday in a statement signed by the registrar and posted on social media.
The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a post on the social media, by one of our students, Ms Anjola Ogunyemi in National Diploma One, alleging sexual harassment against one of our part-time lecturers, Mr Tene John.
“Ms Ogunyemi’s petition to the school on the alleged sexual harassment was received on December 19, 2019 – the day of our vacation. And the Provost called her on that same day to acknowledge the receipt of her petition, assuring her that the matter will be looked into appropriately.
“The institution, thereafter, set up a panel of three lecturers: two females and a male. The panel sat and took evidence from the two parties and witnesses concerned. On Friday, January 17, 2020 – the last day of its sitting, the accused and the accuser were made to confront each other at the panel.
“It was difficult for the panel to establish concretely a case of sexual harassment in its report because there were glaring contradictions in the testimonies of the two parties and witnesses.
“We wish to place on record that Ms Ogunyemu walked out on the panel and ran to the social media to tell her story on the day the panel’s final sitting.
“In view of our institution’s zero tolerance for improper conduct on the part of the staff and students, and in light of the interest the matter has generated, the following decisions have been taken: the lecturer concerned, Mr Tene, who has been on our faculty for over a decade has been relieved of his appointment, we thank him for his services and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
“Ms Ogunyemi, who has just returned from a one-year suspension over indecent dressing and gross misconduct is advised to adhere strictly to her matriculation oath of channelling her grievances to the authorities of the institution.
“We wish to reiterate that our staff and students are governed by rules and regulations and it is important we comply accordingly.”
