How Unilorin Promotes Sexual Harassment and Shields Corruption
Another crisis is brewing in UNILORIN over issue of selective justice. Members of the public will remember the cases of sexual harassment in the University involving one Dr. Muhammed Sanni Idiagbon of the Department of English, faculty of Arts University of Ilorin. and another lecturer in the faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social Work by name Mr Salman Orisankoko. Both lecturers had been allegedly caught red handed harassing female students, while the case of Dr Idiagbon had gone viral because it was caught on audio tape, no concrete evidence appeared to have been brought against Salman. Ironically, Salman got his appointment terminated by the school while Idiagbon was allowed to honourably resign his appointment.
However, nearly one year after, many are asking what happened to the Idiagbon case. It appeared that the authorities simply allowed him to walk away! He was not arraigned before any disciplinary panel but was allowed to “quietly resign”. This act is causing much disaffection in the University as people are asking why the he should be treated differently. Meanwhile, other students and staff with only minor infractions are routinely and swiftly pursued and punished.
The University was embarrassed about the development especially because it concerned Idiagbon who was Acting Head of Department at the time of the offence and an Ilorin indigene for that matter from the same constituency as the VC, Professor Ambali. However, watchers are seeing the case as another manifestation of nepotism by the University VC.
Ordinarily, in the University system when such scandal breaks out, the concerned staff is made to pass through a disciplinary procedure. But this did not happen in the case of Idiagbon. The university authorities, speaking through both the VC, Professor Ambali and the Deputy Director of Information, Mr Kunle Akogun had informed the public that Mr Idiagbon was asked to come and face a disciplinary committee but he refused to appear and chose to resign his appointment with the school! However, by University regulation, you are not allowed to resign once you are involved in a disciplinary matter. You must first answer the case where you will be either exonerated or dismissed.
UNILORIN VC Ambali and his management team are in a quagmire as they have been dogged by one corruption charge or the other. Recently there was news of alleged nepotism in the appointment of the VCs wife, one Toyin Taiwo Ambali who was promoted one year after her appointment contrary to the regulation. There are also news about nepotism in appointment, nepotism in promotion, nepotism in admission and now nepotism in so called discipline. Their handling of the Idiagbon case is seen as confirming recent findings that UNILORIN thrives in corruption and that nepotism rules every aspect of the University.
The University quite knew that Mr Idiagbon’s tactic was to evade justice. Idiagbon had even threatened the girl in the audio tape available on the net that she will be victimized if she resisted. If it is true that the Vice- Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, simply accepted the resignation of such a man from the university instead of taking him before disciplinary panel that will be a serious matter. It will mean the VC is again guilty of nepotism or tribalism or favouritism since Idiagbon is his relation or his kinsman. To compound the case the VC will be seen as supporting sexual harassment and victimisation of innocent female students. He will also be seen as discouraging other harassed students from speaking out for fear of victimization. This is a case that will be interesting to women’s groups, human rights groups, religious groups (both Christianity and Islam) and even government. Nigerians are watching.

corruption efriwhere....wen are we gonna get it ryt as a con3