The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has found a senior lecturer in the Department of English, Adebayo Mosobalaje, guilty of ‘sexual misconduct’.
Mosobalaje was accused of breaching the provisions of the university’s Code of Conduct “in the manner he related with a student of the department, Rachel Momoh.”
A verdict passed by the university’s joint committee of council and Senate noted that “in the process of its deliberations, the Committee FOUND Dr Mosobalaje culpable and was deserving of the highest punishment of dismissal.”
But in its recommendations, many feel the committee was lenient with the lecturer as his punishment included a warning letter, and forfeiture of cumulation of half of his salaries which have been continued to be held by the university since he was suspended.
The committee also said he should not be allowed to hold any management position on the campus for the next five years.
Also, he will not be promoted for two years.
These recommendations, which formed a subject of debate at the Senate meeting of the university last week, led to a division among members in attendance.
While some endorsed the recommendations, others queried the reasons behind the committee’s alleged inconsistency.
They asked why the committee allegedly ‘bent the rule’ when it already concluded that Mr Mosobalaje’s culpability “was deserving of the highest punishment of dismissal.”
The critics cited other similar cases in the past and how the offenders were sacked.
But the university’s public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the recommendations were endorsed by the Senate and would be passed to the university’s governing council for final approval whenever it reconvenes.
“The Senate’s decision is still subject to the ratification or modification by the governing council. So it is not the final decision. And until then, I think it will be preposterous to make any comment on this,” the university’s spokesperson said.
The embattled lecturer has also refused to speak on the matter, saying “it is a decision for the university to make.”
