Suspended FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Fasina Requests Seven-Month Overseas Leave For Medical Checkup Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to refer to the ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, from which he claimed he had already been cleared by the university’s governing council.
The suspended Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has formally requested a total of 228 days of leave, citing the need for a medical checkup and pending research engagements abroad.
In a letter he personally signed and obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, Prof. Fasina asked to proceed on his accumulated annual leave and deferred research leave, which he broke down as follows: Accumulated Leave: 30 working days × 5 years = 150 days.
“Deferred research leave: 26 days × 3 = 78 days, total leave requested, 228 days.
“The need to proceed on the leave is imperative as it will afford me the opportunity to do my long overdue medical checkup which is very expedient,” the statement read.
“I will use the rest of the time to engage in my outstanding research activities outside the country,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to refer to the ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, from which he claimed he had already been cleared by the university’s governing council.
“My leave time will probably allow the Authorities to review the report of the council on the allegation of sexual harassment for which I was cleared, if necessary,” he wrote.
Prof. Fasina also made recommendations for who should act in his place during his absence, naming either Prof. Tajudeen Opoola or Prof. Shittu O.S. as potential acting Vice-Chancellors.
“If approved, I will like to proceed on the leave as soon as possible,” he stated.
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti has been embroiled in controversy in recent months following the suspension of Prof. Fasina over allegations of misconduct.
His formal request for leave comes amid ongoing scrutiny of sexual harassment, his administration and the handling of internal investigations.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Fasina was suspended by the university’s Governing Council following allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a senior university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.
A source told SaharaReporters on Monday that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the initial recommendations of the Governing Council’s Committee, which allegedly ignored the sexual harassment claims and instead recommended that Adebayo apologise to the Vice-Chancellor.
“The minister was very angry with the decision of the council,” the source said.
“He was unhappy that the council tried to sweep the sexual harassment complaint under the carpet and rather told the complainant to apologise. He called the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), to register his displeasure.”
According to the source, following the minister’s intervention, Senator Ndoma-Egba convened an emergency online meeting of the Governing Council at 2:00 PM on Monday, during which the Council resolved to suspend Prof. Fasina.
The source added that Fasina pleaded with the Council to allow him to proceed on his accumulated leave instead of a direct suspension. Eventually, the Council granted his request for a six-month accrued leave.
“You know, as a Vice-Chancellor, if you wish to end your tenure early, especially within six months to the end of your term, you are permitted to proceed on your accumulated leave,” the source explained.
“Although Fasina’s tenure is due to end in August, the Council has now asked him to proceed on that leave effective immediately.”
In the interim, the Governing Council has appointed Prof. Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, a Professor of Soil Science and the incumbent Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), as Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months.
This had been confirmed in a press statement issued by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim.
