The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced the suspension of alleged sex-for-grades lecturer, Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu.
The university, in a statement signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar (Communication Unit), Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede, also barred Igbeneghu from campus academic areas and announced the closure of the Staff Club ‘cold room’.
The statement reads: ” The University of Lagos Management today suspended Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu of the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, Faculty of Arts who was caught in a sting operation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) titled “Sex for Grades.
”The trending video chronicled cases
of sexual harassment of female students by some lecturers in some West African
Universities, including University of Lagos.
”Management at its emergency meeting of October 7, 2019 suspended Dr. Igbeneghu
from work immediately and barred him from the University academic areas while
the suspension subsists unless invited by a Panel constituted by the University
to investigate the matter.
”In addition to this, the University Management has ordered the shutdown of the Staff Club “Cold Room” mentioned in the documentary for further investigation. The so-called “Cold Room” is a Functions Room that may have been abused because this is a deviation from the purpose for which it was created (meetings, seminars, events, etc.)
”The university assures members of the public that any other lecturer mentioned in the full version of the operation which is to be aired later today, will also be suspended to ensure a proper investigation is carried out.
”The University is embarrassed and dissociates itself totally from this act(s) and any inappropriate behaviour of staff with female students and vice versa. The University has a well-articulated “Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual and Romantic Relationships”.
It added: “A copy of the University
Sexual Harassment Policy was distributed to all members of staff and can also
be obtained on the University website:
https://unilag.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/SEXUAL-HARRASMENT-UNILAG-COMMUNICATION-UNITS.pdf.
“Various committees over time have been set up to investigate reports received
and those found guilty/culpable were sanctioned.
”To ensure our students are aware of
the various opportunities for
reporting any form of sexual harassment or misconduct towards them, the
University organises an orientation programme for all new entrants sensitising
them of the University’s zero-tolerance policy and acquainting them with the
mechanisms for reporting.
”The University Counselling Centre, Medical Centre and Division of Students’ Affairs amongst other organs have been well positioned to address complaints by students. These organs have cut off the bureaucracy limiting the effectiveness of the Policy, by the direct reporting system of these Centres to the Vice Chancellor.
”The University encourages students
who have evidence to come forward. They are assured of their anonymity and
safety.
”As a reputable Institution and one of the foremost Universities in Nigeria and
sub-Sahara Africa, we are highly embarrassed by these allegations and we will
do all that is necessary to ensure that this menace is checked in our
institution.
”The University of Lagos is committed to providing conducive and safe learning environment where future leaders are trained to take responsibilities for their action.”
In a related development, the leadership of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria has suspended its senior pastor, Dr Boniface Igbeneghu allegedly involved in the sex-for-grades scandal from all ministerial assignments.
The church also dissociated itself from the “heinous and unscriptural act” of Igheneghu, a lecturer in the University of Lagos (UNILAG), also one of its pastors.
A statement on Monday by the National Secretary of the church, Rev Ikechukwu Ugbaja, promised to investigate the allegation and take appropriate sanctions.
It reads: “The attention of the leadership of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria has been drawn to a video clip trending on social media platforms titled, ‘Sex for grades: Undercover in West Africa Universities – BBC News’ wherein a lecturer at the University of Lagos named Boniface Igbeneghu, also described as a pastor in Foursquare Gospel Church, was allegedly involved in sexual misconduct with some female students of the university.
“The general public is hereby informed that as holiness and Bible-believing church, we do not condone such heinous and unscriptural acts among our ministers.
“We totally dissociate ourselves from the purported conduct of Dr Igbeneghu and promise to take appropriate measures as soon as the ongoing investigation is concluded.
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“Meanwhile, the pastor in question has been asked to step down from all ministerial assignments.”
