The Lagos State University (LASU) has dismissed two senior lecturers over acts of gross misconduct, including sexual harassment, inhumane treatment of students, and financial impropriety.
In a statement released on Saturday, the LASU Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Emmanuel Fanu, announced that the decision was approved during the Council’s meeting held on Thursday, July 3.
The affected staff are Dr. Olatunji Abanikanda, Dean of the Epe Campus, Department of Agricultural Science, and Dr. Khadeejah Kareem-Ibraheem, Coordinator of the Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Epe Campus.
According to Fanu, Dr. Abanikanda was found guilty of multiple offences including:
- Subjecting 400-level students to “degrading and inhumane treatment” during farm practicals by keeping them on-site from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without food, water, or shelter, even during heavy rainfall.
- Sexual harassment of female students.
- Use of threats, curses, and profane language against staff and students.
- Unauthorised collection of money from students and staff in violation of university rules.
His actions were described as “prejudicial to the security and integrity of the university.”
Dr. Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed for:
- Gross dereliction of duty and failure to follow the university’s approved guidelines, curriculum, and procedures.
- Misappropriation of university funds by diverting over ₦10.6 million proceeds from the sale of farm produce into her personal account instead of remitting it to the university.
Fanu stated that both lecturers’ actions contravened LASU’s Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (2017, as amended), and qualified as “serious misconduct.”
The university reiterated its commitment to upholding high ethical standards and protecting the welfare of its students and staff.