Professor Abayomi Fasina, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has filed a N250 million defamation lawsuit against Sahara Reporters, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and Mrs Folasade Adebayo, a staff member of the institution.
The suit, lodged at the High Court in Ado-Ekiti, challenges the publication and circulation of audio recordings and reports alleging sexual harassment by the VC.
Professor Fasina contends that the audio recordings were disseminated without his consent and that the accompanying reports are defamatory, causing significant harm to his reputation.
He maintains that the allegations are baseless and have subjected him to cyberbullying and blackmail.
The controversy began when Mrs Adebayo accused the VC of making inappropriate advances, claims that FIJ and Sahara Reporters reported in January 2025.
In response, FUOYE’s Governing Council established a nine-member committee to investigate the matter.
The committee, after reviewing the evidence, including the audio recordings, concluded that there was no case of sexual harassment.
The council noted that Mrs Adebayo did not formally lodge a sexual harassment complaint and directed her to issue a letter of apology to the council.
Despite the council’s findings, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, alleging bias and calling for the VC’s suspension and the probe panel’s reconstitution.
Also, a coalition of civil society organisations petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations independently.
The ICPC has acknowledged receipt of the petition and initiated a probe into the matter.
In his lawsuit, Professor Fasina seeks a declaration that the publications constitute slander and cyberbullying, an award of N250 million in damages, a public apology from the defendants, and a perpetual injunction restraining them from publishing similar defamatory materials.
He also requests N20 million as the cost of litigation.
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