A professor of Yoruba incantations and stylistics Joseph Opefeyitimi at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been found culpable of sexually assaulting a female student Boluwatife Bababunmi in his office.
Bababunmi is a student of the department of linguistics and African languages.
OAU spokesman Abiodun Olarewaju said in a statement on Wednesday that the incident happened on March 18, 2022, and the student petitioned the school management three days later.
“Procedurally, after the receipt of the formal complaints, the first step was that the departmental committee sat on the matter and, after thorough investigation, Professor Opefeyitimi was found prima facie liable,” the statement said.
“Second stage was the Faculty level and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, professor Niyi Okunoye referred the matter to the anti-sexual harassment committee of the University. The committee, which also sat and clinically deliberated on this same matter, recommended appropriate disciplinary actions against professor Ayo Opefeyitimi to the University Management.
“Of course, the University administration would have to present its recommendations to the Governing Council which has the final say on the matter, considering the status of the staff involved.”
The university assured the general public that it does not condone sexual rascality of any form, under any guise against any member of the university community from anybody. It added that students, particularly females, will continue to be protected against any sexual predator, no matter how highly placed.
