Alledged sexual assault: Suspect in police custody — Anchor Varsity VC

The vice chancellor of Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, Professor Samuel Bandele has reiterated that the school management does not over up any form of indecent behaviour, including sexual assault, within its campus.

He maintained that the university upholds the moral and ethical standards upon which it was established.

The vice chancellor made this declaration in his reaction to the recent tweet by one of the female students of the institution(name withheld), who claimed that an artisan who was engaged by the school to work in the Female Hostel allegedly sneaked into her room and attempted to sexually assault her while asleep.

The vice chancellor declared that he particularly condemned such acts or any other untoward behavior committed by or against any student of the university, especially on campus as the management would not take such an act lightly.

Professor Bandele stated that the suspect is already with Police investigators at Ayobo Police Station and the school management is assisting the police in their investigations and for possible prosecution.

The don dismissed the insinuation that the school authorities might decide to sweep the matter under the carpet, stressing that the school is a responsible entity being run with the fear of God and in compliance with the law of the land.

He emphasised that Anchor University would never cover up such act or any other vice under whatever guise or person involved.

To set the record straight, the vice chancellor explained in the statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, that the suspect is an artisan brought by his boss, who was engaged to work in the female hostel where renovation work is ongoing ahead of resumption and not a member of staff.

He added that the incident happened during summer period when most of the students were on holiday and some came for summer studies ahead of resumption.

“So, it is surprising for anybody to say that the school authorities wanted to shield the suspect, who allegedly committed a crime against its student.

“That cannot be at Anchor University, and I make bold to state clearly that a matter of sexual assault on campus has never been brought to my attention until this case.

“So, once such a case is made official, we shall investigate and take appropriate action according to the law of the land,” he added.

The vice chancellor explained further that when the female hall supervisor, Mrs Grace Abodunde even brought Evangels to his office and asked the young lady some pertinent questions to confirm the veracity of her claims, she was reluctant and did not show signs of seriousness.

“It was when I encouraged her to speak up so as to get to the root of the matter that we then involved the police at Ayobo Police State, the jurisdiction under which the school is situated.

“Now, the matter is being handled by the police,” he stressed.

Bandele reaffirmed that Anchor University is a place to mould the youths to actualise their dreams and become responsible adults and that the university is committed to helping them achieve that.

Corroborating the vice-chancellor’s position, the hall supervisor, Mrs. Abodunde also confirmed that this was the first time Evangel would have this kind of experience as a student of the university on campus to the best of her knowledge.

According to her, “Evangel has never reported something like this to me before as student and no other person has done so, and that is why it will be wrong for her to say that the school authority is treating sex harassment with levity.

“The school can only act on the matter that is brought before it,” she stressed.

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