FUOYE VC Seeks N250m Damages In Court Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

By: Olusegun Ajileye

Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Sunday Fasina, has filed a lawsuit against two media houses at an Ekiti State High Court, seeking damages amounting N250 million.

Fasina in a suit No. HAD/58/2025, listed SaharaReporters, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and a senior staff of the university, Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, as defendants.

The vice-chancellor noted that the defendants maliciously circulated an audio recording, and published accompanying reports that defamed him, and caused him and family substantial reputational damage.

In his statement of claim, Fasina contended that the audio was obtained, and circulated, without his consent, and that its publication, constituted cyberbullying, cyberstalking, defamation and blackmail.

According to the suit, the second defendant, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), allegedly, acting on the instigation of the first defendant (Mrs. Adebayo), circulated the recording on January 20, 2025, via its website, www.fij.ng, alleging that Fasina, harassed, and victimized Adebayo.

Fasina also referenced a letter, by Adebayo, dated Sept. 17, 2024, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUOYE’s Governing Council, in which she wrote: “Of greatest concern to me is the false and damaging allegation that I attempted to seduce the Vice Chancellor.

“This accusation is completely without merit. On the contrary, it was the Vice Chancellor who made multiple inappropriate advances towards me, which I firmly rejected.”

In reply, Fasina submitted a 14-page response, dated September 27, 2024, titled: “Clarifications on the Complaints from Mrs. Folasade Adebayo: Expression of Gratitude and Records of Grievances”, in which he denied all allegations, and provided his account of events.

He further asserted that an internal investigation, conducted by FUOYE’s Governing Council and its relevant committees, cleared him of any wrongdoing.

The vice-chancellor stated that a Certified True Copy of the Council’s investigative report in April 2025, affirms this exoneration.

Additionally, Fasina noted that a separate petition, filed by a civil society organization, Peace Initiatives, was investigated by the Nigeria Police Force.

He noted that the police report, dated March 21, 2024, also cleared him of all allegations, including sexual harassment, abuse of office and intimidation.

“Since the circulation of the audio recordings and defamatory reports by FIJ and SaharaReporters, I have received numerous phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and visits from concerned colleagues, family, and professional contacts in Nigeria and abroad,” he claimed

Fasina said that the publications were maliciously intended to damage his hard-earned reputation as an academic, public servant and Christian leader.