The Lagos State University (LASU) has dismissed two senior academic staff members following allegations of sexual harassment, financial impropriety, and professional misconduct. The decision was ratified during the institution's 143rd Statutory Governing Council meeting held on Friday.
The dismissal came after a formal petition submitted by Taofeek Adekunle, a member of the advocacy group Take It Back Movement, which accused the lecturers of sexually harassing students and engaging in unethical financial practices.
Details of the Dismissals
The affected lecturers are Prof. Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikanda, Dean of the Epe Campus and senior faculty member in the Department of Agricultural Science, and Khadeejat Kareem-Ibraheem, Coordinator of the Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture.
According to a statement issued by LASU Registrar and Secretary to Council, Emmanuel Fanu, both individuals were found culpable of serious breaches of the university's code of conduct following a six-week internal investigation.
Charges Against Prof. Abanikanda
Prof. Abanikanda was dismissed for multiple violations, including:
Subjecting final-year students to inhumane conditions during fieldwork at the department's farm, forcing them to remain from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without breaks, food, or shelter, even during severe weather conditions
Sexual harassment of female students
Verbal abuse of colleagues and students, including threats, curses, and derogatory utterances
Unauthorized collection of money from members of the university community, in contravention of institutional regulations
Charges Against Kareem-Ibraheem
Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed for dereliction of duty and gross financial misconduct. She was accused of violating institutional procedures and failing to remit over N10 million in revenue generated from the sale of farm produce, which was instead deposited into her personal bank account.
The statement noted that both cases represented a clear breach of LASU's 2017 Conditions of Service (as amended) and posed a serious threat to the values and standards the institution upholds.
This disciplinary action underscores LASU's commitment to maintaining ethical standards and protecting students from exploitation within the academic environment.
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