The University of Abuja has terminated the appointments of professors Adeniji Adedayo and Chibuzo Orji over sexual assault and examination malpractice, respectively.

In a statement, the university claimed that Adedayo, who is a former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, had an “inappropriate” relationship with a female student of the university, while Orji, a lecturer at the Department of Science and Environmental Education, was allegedly involved in the falsification of academic records and examination malpractice.

The University Head of Information and Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, also said the sacking of both professors was directed by its Governing Council after a meeting held last Wednesday and Thursday.

The statement read, “The Governing Council at its Regular Meeting considered reports and recommendations from its Disciplinary Committee and after due diligence, approved the termination of the appointments of two professors for various acts of misconduct: Prof Adeniji Adedayo Abiodun of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, for inappropriate relationship with a female student, which is a misconduct of scandalous and disgraceful nature as provided in Section 16, subsection 3(c) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999), Falsification of academic records and aiding and abetting of examination malpractice.

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“Two, Prof Chibuzo Orji of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, University of Abuja, for falsification of academic records, aiding and abetting of examination malpractice, in line with Section 7, subsection 1b(ii)&(v) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999).

“The council also approved the demotion of Dr Robert Dajal of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education by a rank, from Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer, and Mr Gana Defian, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture by two ranks, from Lecturer 1 to Assistant Lecturer, for their complicity in various acts of misconduct inimical to the good image of the University.”

The university’s spokeswoman, Hajiya Maryam Mohammed, had confirmed in August 2019 that the former dean, Prof Adeniji, was under suspension over an allegation of sexual harassment. She added that a disciplinary committee had been constituted by the institution to investigate the matter.

It was gathered that the professor was quizzed by the police when the incident occurred in April, after the victim reported him. The two had reportedly set up a meeting at a hotel in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja.

“The incident happened when students were taking the First Semester Examinations for the 2018/2019 academic session. The victim reported the harassment to some security officials who asked her to play along and to involve the police. That was how the bubble burst.

“The committee submitted its report to the senate and it recommended the dismissal of the lecturer".