The recent letter written by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti FUOYE, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, requesting to proceed on accumulated and research leave, is nothing short of a shameful, desperate, and barbaric ploy to evade accountability. This calculated move, cloaked in administrative jargon and emotional manipulation, is a slap in the face of justice, an insult to institutional integrity, and a reflection of the depths to which university leadership can sink when power is abused.
A Shameful Excuse in the Face of Grave Allegations
In his letter, the Vice Chancellor, now infamously dubbed Básórun-Gà à by disenchanted members of the university community, audaciously claims that “ _the need to proceed on leave is imperative as it allows me to do my long overdue medical check-up, which is very expedient. What a shameful excuse from a man at the center of serious allegations of sexual harassment, and abuse of office!
The same man who now claims to be in urgent need of a medical check-up is the one who denied a medical leave request to one of his victims, Engr. Adebayo, who was battling serious health issues, which she supported with a medical report from a reputable hospital and affirmed by FUOYE’s own Director of Medical Services. That Prof.
Fasina would now cite “medical check-up” as a reason to abscond from scrutiny shows the height of hypocrisy, cruelty, and disregard for human dignity. It exposes the depth of rot in the system under his leadership.
Calculating Days While Dodging Consequences
In what can only be described as administrative comedy, the Vice Chancellor went on to calculate the number of accumulated leave days, as though mathematics could wash away allegations of harassment and financial recklessness. Leave calculation does not override the rule of law. It is not a substitute for suspension. It is not a shield against investigation.
The use of this leave mechanism is a clear attempt to dodge disciplinary procedure. This is not the statutory or acceptable route for stepping aside in the face of damning accusations. According to public service rules and university administrative principles, a suspension, not leave, is the proper step when such serious allegations are in play. Any other approach is a deliberate manipulation of the process to protect vested interests.
Subtle Admission of Council's Compromise
Perhaps the most revealing part of the VC’s letter is where he states:
"My leave 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.
This sentence is both a confession and an indictment. If the council had already cleared him, which “authorities” is he now referring to for a possible review?
This is a veiled acknowledgment that the council’s review was compromised. It shows he is aware that an independent review is necessary, which consequently invalidates the credibility of the council’s earlier position.
This tells us all we need to know: the Council failed in its duty, acted with bias, and has now chosen to assist the VC in escaping justice through a hasty approval of leave. It is shameful that a Council that could not approve his leave at their Abuja meeting just last week suddenly rushed to approve it today the very day he begins the so-called leave. What changed overnight? Clearly, the urgency was not medical, it was political.
A Call for Immediate Action
This charade must not stand. The Honourable Minister of Education must now do the needful:
Recall and suspend the Vice-Chancellor immediately, as per administrative ethics and in the interest of transparent investigation.
Dissolve the current FUOYE Governing Council for its complicit behavior and lack of impartiality.
Constitute an independent, unbiased committee from relevant agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Education, EFCC, ICPC, and gender based violence monitoring bodies, to investigate all allegations thoroughly and without interference.
Investigate the Council itself for possible abuse of process and breach of duty.
This is not just about Prof. Fasina. It is about the soul of our public institutions. If a Vice Chancellor can use " accumulated leave" as an escape route from accountability, then no university is safe, no student is protected, and no whistleblower is secure.
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti deserves better. Nigeria deserves better. And justice must prevail.
