Crime

See The Numbers of Senior LASU Lecturers Sacked Over ₦10.6M Fraud and Sexual Harassment Allegations

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

See The Numbers of Senior LASU Lecturers Sacked Over ₦10.6M Fraud and Sexual Harassment Allegations

Lagos State University (LASU) has officially terminated the employment of two prominent lecturers following serious allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct.

This decision was reached during the institution’s 143rd Statutory Meeting of the Governing Council held on Thursday, July 3, 2025, according to information obtained by Saturday PUNCH.

In a formal statement released by Emmanuel Fanu, the University Registrar and Secretary to the Council, the lecturers were found culpable of mistreatment of students, sexual harassment, and misappropriation of funds.

One of the dismissed lecturers is Dr. Olatunji Abanikanda, who formerly served as the Dean of the Department of Agricultural Science at LASU’s Epe campus. He faced accusations of subjecting students to harsh and degrading conditions during their practical sessions on the department’s farm.

The controversy intensified after a video circulated on social media depicting students left exposed to harsh weather—both scorching sun and heavy rain—without any shelter during their practical farm work.

Dr. Abanikanda was reportedly responsible for making 400-level students work from early morning (6:30 a.m.) until late at night (10:00 p.m.) without breaks for food or water, even amidst heavy rainfall. This treatment was deemed detrimental to the welfare of the students and the university’s reputation.

Further allegations against him included sexually harassing female students and verbally abusing staff and students through threats, insults, and profane language—actions deemed unprofessional for a university officer. He was also accused of illegally collecting fees from staff and students in violation of university policies.

The second lecturer, Dr. Khadeejah Kareem-Ibraheem, who coordinated the Department of Animal Sciences at the Epe campus, was also dismissed for neglecting her official duties. She allegedly failed to comply with university protocols and curriculum standards.

Significantly, Dr. Kareem-Ibraheem is accused of withholding more than ₦10.6 million generated from farm produce sales, which she allegedly kept in a personal bank account instead of remitting the funds to the university as required.

Registrar Fanu emphasized that these breaches constituted serious misconduct under LASU’s Senior Staff Conditions of Service (2017, amended).

The university’s management stressed their dedication to upholding strict academic and ethical standards within the institution.