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Emergency rule: Reps inaugurate committee to assume legislative duties in Rivers State

Mustapha USMAN
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Emergency rule: Reps inaugurate committee to assume legislative duties in Rivers State

AMID the political crisis that led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to take over legislative functions in the State.

The inauguration, held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, April 15, followed President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Tinubu, in his nationwide broadcast, invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to justify the move and appointed Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the state’s sole administrator.

Tinubu cited prolonged political instability in the state as the reason for his decision, vowing to restore governance, peace, and security to the oil-rich state.  

The president also appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.

To fill the legislative vacuum, the Speaker constituted the emergency 21-man panel with representatives drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. 

Addressing the panel on Tuesday, Abbas urged members to put aside partisan interests and focus on ensuring peace, governance, and stability in Rivers State.

“Your task is to oversee Rivers State following Mr President’s emergency proclamation.You must not be partisan or biased,” Abbas said.

The committee is chaired by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, with Ali Isah (PDP, Gombe) serving as deputy chairman. 

Other members include Idris Wase, Aliyu Muktar, Sada Soli, Iduma Igariwey, Shehu Rijau, Wole Oke, Akara Hi Amadi, Patrick Umoh, Isa Anka and James Faleke.

The ICIR reports that this development followed the House of Representatives’ and the Senate resolution endorsing Tinubu’s emergency declaration. 

During a plenary on March 20, lawmakers gave their backing via a voice vote after the president formally informed the National Assembly of his decision.

The lawmakers further agreed to authorise the formation of an ad hoc committee, with members from both chambers of the National Assembly, to oversee the situation in the state.

They also tasked Tinubu to review or terminate the state of emergency at any time, but no later than six months from now.

Harvard faces $2.2bn federal funding freeze for ‘rejecting’ White House demands

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Harvard faces $2.2bn federal funding freeze for ‘rejecting’ White House demands

UNITED States President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a $2.2 billion freeze on federal funding to Harvard University on Monday, April 14, after the school declined to comply with a series of broad demands from the White House.

The White House issued a list of demands to Harvard on April 3, stating they were aimed at combating antisemitism on campus. 

The demands called for reforms to Harvard’s governance, hiring practices, and admissions policies, including directives to close diversity offices and collaborate with immigration authorities to screen international students.

Harvard President Alan Garber, in a letter to students and faculty, pledged to stand firm against the government, declaring that the university would not “negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights.”

Trump’s Joint Task Force to combat Anti-Semitism responded with a statement announcing a $2.2 billion suspension of multi-year grants, along with a freeze on $60 million in government contracts.

“Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges — that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” it said.

“The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support.”

It’s worth recalling that campuses across the United States were shaken last year by student protests opposing Israel’s war in Gaza, some of which escalated into violent clashes with police and pro-Israel counter-protesters.

Trump and other Republicans have accused the activists of backing Hamas, an American-designated terrorist organisation whose deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered the ongoing conflict.

In March, the Department of Education announced it had launched an investigation into 60 colleges and universities over alleged “anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination.”

The ICIR reported on April 2, that the United States government revoked the visas of hundreds of international students and carried out arrests over alleged support for Hamas.

This was revealed by the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who said that about 300 students were targeted in the last week of March as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown titled, “Catch and Revoke.” 

According to Rubio, the programme utilises artificial intelligence to monitor and flag individuals engaged in activism perceived as supporting extremist groups.

Garber’s letter followed the administration’s decision to place $9 billion in federal funding for Harvard and its affiliates under review, marking the start of its demands.

On Friday, April 12, the government sent Harvard a more detailed list, demanding an “audit” of the views of students and faculty, which the university then made public.

Harvard generated an operating surplus of $45 million on a revenue base of $6.5 billion in the last financial year.

Garber stated that the university was “open to new information and different perspectives,” but would not comply with demands that “exceed the lawful authority of this or any administration.”

“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber said.

Atiku berates Tinubu over continued Plateau killings, other attacks

Mustapha USMAN
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Atiku berates Tinubu over continued Plateau killings, other attacks

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a failure to tackle insecurity, following the killing of at least 47 persons in Zike community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 15, Abubakar expressed deep sadness over the renewed attacks, stating that the resurgence of violence in Bassa, days after a similar massacre in Bokkos LGA, was proof of the federal government’s incompetence.

Abubakar, who described the development as “unacceptable,” said the attack is a grim reminder of the worsening state of security in our country.

“It is regrettable and entirely unacceptable that these Nigerians had to lose their lives as a result of the incompetence of the Tinubu-led administration. The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government. Unfortunately, President Tinubu has failed these citizens and continues to fail them,” Abubakar said.

He also condemned, “The escalating wave of terrorist attacks in Borno State, which, according to Governor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, has resulted in the loss of lives and territory to insurgents. These disturbing developments underscore the total collapse of the current administration’s security policy and architecture.”

He criticised the prolonged detention of terror suspects without trial, suggesting that such delays embolden criminal elements.

Abubakar called on the Attorney General of the Federation to prioritise the prosecution of terror suspects and urged the creation of special courts to accelerate trials. 

He also warned against the increasing cross-border attacks by armed groups, calling it a “national disgrace” and further evidence of a failed security framework.

“Every sincere Nigerian should be disturbed by how terrorists and bandits operate with impunity, especially in Northern Nigeria, which has become the epicentre of this violence. The continued delay in prosecuting terrorists and bandits, some of whom have been in custody since 2016, has only emboldened these mass murderers.

“If the same level of urgency and energy were devoted to the prosecution of terrorists as we have seen applied to the trials of political critics, we would have sent a clear and forceful message that crime has consequences. Instead, justice is being delayed, and our security forces are being demoralised.

“The Attorney General of the Federation must prioritise the prosecution of these criminals, and special courts should be established to fast-track their trials. Our justice system must not give the impression that terrorism pays,” he said.

He further asked the National Assembly to consider legislation that would allow state governments to arm and equip their local security outfits, citing the need to bolster the capacity of overstretched federal security agencies.

His remarks followed fresh reports of coordinated attacks in the early hours of Monday, April 14, in Zike, which led to 51 deaths of citizens.

The attack came on the heels of a mass killing in Bokkos Local Government Area on March 28, which claimed over 50 lives, including children burned beyond recognition. 

Despite President Tinubu’s vow to apprehend and prosecute those behind the attacks, violence in the region has persisted.

The ongoing violence has resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of property, and erosion of trust in governance, demanding urgent national attention.

Following the March 28 attack, Atiku, in a statement on his X handle, said the ‘failure of Tinubu’s security architecture has now become an endemic nationwide phenomenon with repeated killings, more of which do not even make the headlines.’

He noted that Nigerians are gradually being conditioned to accept frequent reports of senseless killings as normal, and once again extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and to the families affected by the tragedy.

Katy Perry makes history as part of all female crew on Blue Origin spaceflight

Itoroabasi Uduak UDO
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Katy Perry makes history as part of all female crew on Blue Origin spaceflight

POP icon Katy Perry and five other women, successfully completed a suborbital spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on Monday, April 14 2025, in what has been perceived to be a groundbreaking moment for both celebrity culture and the future of space tourism.

Joining Perry on the journey were Jeff Bezos’s fiancée Lauren Sánchez, CBS presenter Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

The flight, which lasted approximately 11 minutes, lifted off from Blue Origin’s West Texas launch site at 08:30 am (14:30 BST), according to Blue Origin, propelling the crew more than 100 kilometers above Earth  crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The passengers experienced a few moments of weightlessness before the capsule parachuted safely back to Earth.

The spacecraft, fully autonomous and pilot-free, returned with a soft, parachute-assisted landing. Cheers erupted inside the capsule as the recovery crew arrived, and Jeff Bezos himself opened the hatch to greet the crew.

Speaking after their successful landing, Sánchez, who was the first to exit, tearfully reflected on the view from space, saying that “I am so proud of this crew I can’t put it into words” “earth looked so quiet. It was quiet, but really alive,” she added.

Perry followed, kissing the ground and lifting a daisy skyward in tribute to her daughter, Daisy. Gayle King also knelt to kiss the ground, expressing deep appreciation for Earth.

Observers at the launch included a host of celebrities, such as show business personality Khloé Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey. Kardashian described the event as emotional and inspiring saying “Whatever you dream of is in reach, especially in today’s day and age”.

Oprah spoke about her close friend Gayle King’s accomplishment, noting King’s usual fear of flying and praising her courage.

American billonaire Jeff Bezos, who also started Amazon is the founder of Blue Origin.

Has court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi, who criticised Sokoto governor?

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Has court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi, who criticised Sokoto governor?

A claim that a Sokoto magistrate court has sentenced 18-year-old activist, Hamdiyya Sidi, to 12 strokes of the cane or a two-year prison term, or to pay a fine of N50,000 has surfaced online.

The claim has been widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), blogs, and Facebook posts.

For instance, a Facebook account, Africom posted the claim with a caption that read:

“Breaking: The court has sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or 2 years imprisonment, or a fine of fifty thousand Naira (₦50,000)…
Hamdiyya Sidi, was charged by the Sokoto State government with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she criticized Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a
TikTok video.
Barrister Abba Hikima was there for her since from day 1, May Allah bless him.”
The post has garnered traction online.
Also, an X user, @Hashafcee1 also posted the claim on April 10, 2025 and it has generated more than 65,000 views alongside over 900 reposts and over 700 likes as of April 11, 2025. The claim was also shared here by another Facebook user.

CLAIM

A Sokoto magistrate court has sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or two years in prison, or to pay a N50,000 fine.

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

In November 2024, Hamdiyya Sidi published a video criticising Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, over insecurity and the plight of displaced persons in the state. She also called on internally displaced people to occupy the governor’s office in protest.

Following her remarks, the Sokoto State Police Command arrested her and accused her of making inciting statements and using abusive language. After her release on bail, she reportedly suffered physical attacks, including abduction and assault, which left her with serious injuries.

She later issued a public apology and retracted her statement urging IDPs to occupy government property.

Screenshot of the viral post retrieved from X. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

In February 2025, Sidi was arraigned before a Sokoto magistrate court. Prosecutors accused her of circulating content capable of causing public unrest.

The last update on the case showed that it was been adjourned to March 13 and 14, but no public record has confirmed any ruling or judgement as of the time of this report.

The FactCheckHub also found a video released by Sidi and her lawyer, Abba Hikima where they debunked the viral story.

In the video, which was posted on Facebook in Hausa language by her lawyer, Sidi said:

“No ruling has been made. We are still continuing with the Sharia proceedings as we have always done from the beginning… Today’s session was when we started presenting witnesses under my lawyer’s guidance. So, there’s no judgement. To those spreading these false stories, I urge you to fear Allah and stop spreading things that are not true.”

News Central TV also reported on April 10, 2025 that Abba Hikima, the lead counsel for Hamdiyya Sidi Shareef — the young woman arrested over a critical TikTok video targeting Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu — has dismissed circulating social media claims suggesting that his client has been sentenced.

Our fact-checker observed that there were no credible media reports or court documents confirming that Sidi has been sentenced. Neither has the Sokoto judiciary nor relevant authorities released any statement indicating that a ruling has been delivered in her case.

THE VERDICT 

The claim that a Sokoto magistrate court sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi to 12 strokes of the cane, or two years in prison, or a N50,000 fine is FALSE; findings show that no such ruling has been made on her case, which is still ongoing in court as of the time of filing this fact-check.

Republished from the Factcheckhub.

Nigerians slam Gov Alia for ‘obstructing’ Peter Obi humanitarian visit

Mustapha USMAN
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Nigerians slam Gov Alia for ‘obstructing’ Peter Obi humanitarian visit

The Benue State Government has come under fire after the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he was allegedly prevented from conducting a humanitarian visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and a nursing school in the state.

Obi, in a statement issued on Monday, April 14, expressed dismay over what he described as an orchestrated attempt to frustrate his planned visit to Benue, which included support to IDPs and inspection of a nursing school being built in Gboko.

According to him, the trip, which followed a similar one to Plateau State, had been properly communicated to security officials and the aide-de-camp (ADC) to Governor Hyacinth Alia. 

However, just hours before arriving in Makurdi, Obi said his security team received a press statement purportedly from the Benue state government to stop his visit to the state.

Obi, while reacting to the reported statement titled, “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State,” explained that he tried his efforts to inform the governor but to no avail.

He said, despite contacting the governor’s aide-de-camp (ADC) and sharing his itinerary, including visits to an IDP camp and a mission-run school, the state government issued a press statement designed to halt his trip just as he was on the road to Makurdi. 

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia warned against such visitation without permission, adding that he “cannot guarantee the safety” of any visitor whose trip was not cleared with the state authorities.

The statement reads, “The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the public that he is not expecting any August visitor to the state today.

“He is currently engaged in high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.”

While further warning against visits that could result in political gatherings without prior approval, Alia tasked the security agencies and the public to take note and maintain peace and order.

Obi reacts

Reacting to this, Obi stressed that his mission had no political undertone, adding that he had long engaged in philanthropic and development-driven interventions, even before entering politics. 

“On what transpired today during my planned visit to Benue State, I am not entirely sure that the Governor, my dear younger brother, whom I deeply respect, is aware of this situation. Having exhausted every possible means to reach him, I am compelled to use this available platform to ensure my message is conveyed.

“On Thursday, April 10, I had planned to visit Plateau and Benue States, respectively. My trip included paying courtesy calls to the governors as well as visiting the IDP camps and schools of nursing in both states to give my support.

“As is my practice, I reached out to the Plateau State government to inform them of my visit, which included spending the day with the victims at the IDP camp in Bokkos, a visit I wholeheartedly embraced to extend my support, care, and compassion to fellow Nigerians in need. And in his utmost hospitality, the Plateau State Governor graciously permitted,” he said.

Obi stressed that while he tried repeatedly to reach the Benue State governor, all efforts proved abortive.

“However, because my visit was just for courtesy and respect, I decided to proceed to Makurdi.

“Earlier today at 7 am, I left Jos, and on reaching Akwanga at about 10 am, my security team stopped and stated they received a press statement, purportedly from the Benue State Government, that appeared designed to stop my trip.

Curiously, while I was still talking with my security team on the issue, the Governor’s ADC sent the statement directly to me,” Obi added.

Reactions

The incident has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians on the social media, with many accusing the governor of politicising a humanitarian gesture.

Some citizens questioned why a former governor and presidential candidate known for his philanthropic outreach needed clearance to support displaced persons.

An X user, Theo Abu, condemned the alleged obstruction of Obi from visiting the state, adding that, “Denying an opposition leader access to any state negates the very principle of fair play in the political arena. The governor is acting out a script, and every lover of democracy must condemn this sort of toxic politics.”

Another user, Sol, stated that the attempt to stop Obi from visiting vulnerable ones is ‘disgraceful.’

“What kind of people turn away those who are trying to help their most vulnerable? I’m reading this with a sickening feeling in my stomach. A man sets out respectfully, with every due protocol, to visit IDP camps, schools of nursing, and citizens in dire need, and yet he’s met with resistance, confusion, and what can only be described as deliberate sabotage.

“How can a governor, a Reverend Father, no less, fail to respond to a courtesy call from a respected statesman, only for his ADC to conveniently become unreachable for days? And when a response finally comes, it’s not a call, but a cold press release aimed at derailing a humanitarian mission?

“This isn’t just disorganised. It reeks of political pettiness and an utter disregard for the lives and well-being of Nigerians suffering in these IDP camps,” he wrote.

Nigeria oil output drops to 1.4m in March, weakens 2025 budget

Ehime ALEX
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Nigeria oil output drops to 1.4m in March, weakens 2025 budget

There is a growing apprehension over the 2025 budget implementation, as Nigeria’s crude oil production failed to improve in March, dropping further to 1.401 million barrels per day (bpd).

This is according to the latest data from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The ICIR reports that the development has altered the 2025 budget implementation pattern, which relied on $75/bpd and a 1.5 million OPEC production quota for its implementation.

In its Monthly Oil Market Report released on Monday, April 14, OPEC indicates that Nigeria’s crude oil output dropped by 64,000 bpd in March from 1.465 million bpd in February.

This is the second consecutive month Nigeria’s crude oil production has fallen after it slightly surpassed the OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd in January.

In January, Nigeria’s average daily crude oil output reached 1.539 million bpd for the first time since OPEC set a daily target of 1.5 million for the country at its ministerial meeting on November 30, 2023.

The latest OPEC report on Nigeria’s average crude oil production has again worsened the concerns surrounding the continued decline in oil prices in the international market and the United States’ high-handedness in imposing tariffs on various countries, including Nigeria.

“The latest US tariffs, particularly on Nigerian oil and gas exports, are expected to have a limited impact on Nigeria’s economy, considering the exemptions for oil and gas and the country’s limited exposure to US trading,” OPEC stated.

The oil cartel noted that though Nigeria’s inflation continues to decline, a weaker naira could slow the drop in price pressures.

It also drew concern about Nigeria’s public debt, which rose in the fourth quarter of 2024 to N144.67 trillion, according to the latest disclosure by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

According to OPEC, rising oil production will help Nigeria’s fiscal position, even if lower oil prices may be a concern.

The prices of crude have been on a downward slope in recent times, dropping far below Nigeria’s budgetary benchmark.

The ICIR has reported how this poses a major concern in the implementation of the country’s 2025 budget size of N54.99 trillion, which would be largely dependent on proceeds from crude oil.

OPEC cuts 2025 oil demand forecast over U.S. tariffs

OPEC, in its April report, says it now sees demand to grow by 1.3 million bpd in 2025, down from a previous forecast of 1.4 million bpd.

The price of its basket of twelve crudes fell to $66,25 a barrel on Monday, compared with $70,85 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The development comes after the eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, met virtually on April 3, 2025, to review global market conditions and outlook.

Given the continuing healthy market fundamentals and the positive market outlook, and by the decision agreed upon on December 5, 2024, subsequently reaffirmed on March 3, 2025, to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from April 1, 2025.

The eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 411 thousand barrels per day, equivalent to three monthly increments, in May 2025.

This comprises the increment originally planned for May in addition to two monthly increments.

The gradual increases may be paused or reversed, subject to evolving market conditions, OPEC+ had said, adding that the flexibility would allow the group to continue to support oil market stability.

This measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation, even as the eight countries have set May 5 to meet to decide on June production levels.

FUOYE denies VC’s leave is linked to sexual harassment allegations

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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FUOYE denies VC’s leave is linked to sexual harassment allegations

THE Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has denied that Vice-Chancellor Abayomi Fasina’s sudden decision to embark on a six-month leave is connected to the sexual harassment allegations rocking the university.

It also denied that it had nothing to do with the recent controversy surrounding the governing council’s decision, which allegedly cleared him of the accusations last week.

The university spokesperson, Foluso Ogunmodede, denied the claims while speaking to The ICIR on Monday that the university council approved Fasina’s request to take a six-month “accumulated annual and research leave” as he is entitled to it.

He emphasised that the leave has no connection to the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa’s recent rejection of the governing council’s decision to exonerate Fasina of the sexual harassment allegations.

“I have not seen any formal communication from the Ministry of Education regarding this” he said. 

While declining to answer some of The ICIR’s questions, Ogunmodede stated that the governing council, during an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon, approved Fasina’s request to proceed on his accumulated research leave ahead of the scheduled end of his five-year tenure on February 11, 2026.

In response to questions about the circumstances surrounding the sudden decision and the timing, Ogunmodede said, “He has been working for four years, and he needs to go on leave.” He added that the leave, which spans 126 working days, begins today, Monday, April 14.

He further stated that the council has appointed  Olubunmi Shittu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university to manage affairs for the next 6 months. 

“He is not on suspension so there is no need for proper handing over,” he added

Background 

Folasade Adebayo, a married woman who joined the institution as a chief engineer in the physical planning and works department on January 2, 2012, filed a sexual harassment complaint against the VC on December 20, 2024.

Adebayo said that her ordeal began after Fasina became VC  in 2021. 

According to her, he revisited several issues, including staff promotions, giving her the chance to resubmit her previously denied promotion case. 

The governing council eventually approved it, backdating her deputy directorship to 2015, a position that placed her directly under Fasina’s supervision.

She said that Fasina informed her of his sexual desires afterwards and she persistently turned down.

What followed Adebayo’s refusal was a flurry of intimidating acts, exemplified by verbal harassment and undeserved written queries.

“Issues began to emerge when the vice chancellor, Prof. Fasina, would publicly embarrass me and start to intimidate me for no just cause. Members of the university management would be truthful to remember a day (September 22, 2023) when I was walked out of the management meeting by the vice chancellor and he publicly said that he did not want to see me again,” she wrote in her letter to FUOYE’s governing council.

The ICIR reports that Adebayo was subsequently removed from her position as Acting Director on December 31, 2023.

She explained that a non-governmental organisation was said to have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police against the FUOYE management for continuous flouting of rules on finance, account operations, frauds and abuse of procurement process.

“ I was however invited to Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, where I was informed by the police that the petitioner mentioned my name as a witness to a sexual indulgence move by the vice chancellor.

“I told the police that rather, it was the vice chancellor that tried to make advances to me which I rejected. They asked as to whether he touched any part of my body when he was making advances and I replied, NO.

“He did not touch me with hand but he was using his power and position to intimidate and harass me with the anger that I refused his advances,” she wrote.

The police however claimed that Adebayo had told them that Fasina did not sexually harass her and cleared him of any misconduct, according to a report credited to Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Fasina’s legal representative.

“Recently, I saw a media write-up that the police had investigated the case of sexual harassment and cleared the vice chancellor, and that I wrote that he did not harass me. It is amazing how [my] statement made [to the police] can be interpreted so lightly,” Adebayo also wrote.

She said that when the harassment began, a governing council had not been formed, so she  reported the matter to the FUOYE’s Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in February 2024.

Adebayo attached a series of audio recorded interactions between her and Fasina to the letter submitted to the governing council as evidence. 

The university’s chapter of SSANU wrote the governing council and issued a public statement accusing the vice-chancellor of sexually molesting its member.

The signatories to the union’s statement were immediately suspended by the governing council, which accused them of tarnishing the image of the institution. 

However, after the intervention of the union’s national leadership, the governing council established investigative panels, which recently submitted their reports, culminating in the university’s announced verdict.

Despite substantial evidence, including audio recordings and documents suggesting unjustified disciplinary actions, the FUOYE governing council cleared Fasina of all sexual harassment allegations.

Ogunmodede while speaking to the ICIR confirmed that though other documents were exermined by the council, the audio recordings were not subjected to forensic examination.

“The parties to the alleged offence gave oral interview. And Correspondences were also considered, video, audio recordings, were also considered. And at the end of the day, the woman, engineer Adebayo agreed that there was no sexual harassment” he said

The council strongly condemned the secret recording of the Vice-Chancellor, describing it as a calculated attempt to blackmail him into confirming Adebayo as the substantive Director of Works, a position the council noted he had no authority to approve.

The council instructed Adebayo to submit a letter of apology to the council within seven days and was reprimanded for allegedly tarnishing the university’s reputation.

In reaction to the council’s verdict, it was reported that the minister of education rejected the council’s action, and demanded the “right thing must be done.”

The National Vice President and Chairman of Western zone of the SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, in a statement on Thursday, said the council had by its decision laid a bad precedent and a new low for the Nigerian university system with “the grasp at straws in the desperate attempt to protect the villain while further victimising the victim.”

“This is the reason why we had maintained that the continued stay in office of the vice chancellor during the pendency of the investigation would compromise the fairness of the process. We have not been proven wrong.

“The council, with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as its chairman, should have known that an investigation panel is a process and not an event. This process began over four months ago and SSANU has enough reason to assert that the process had been compromised within that period.” The statement read.

Can female students at FUOYE feel safe reporting harassment?

FUOYE Directorate of Gender Studies has paraded it itself as a strong advocate for victims of sexual harassment, encouraging them to speak out and stressing that “sexual harassers are predators” who are unlikely to stop unless reported.

The institution’s spokesperson said that council recommended certain guidelines.

“Especially regularly cyberbully and a training for both staff and students, they are not in place yet but I can assure you that the process of protecting the university from further experiencing this type of development will soon be in place,” he said. 

Ogunmodede, who initially claimed that students have been reporting cases of sexual harassment by lecturers through a channel he clearly lacked knowledge of and couldn’t recall the exact number of cases reported, later stated that no sexual harassment cases had ever been reported except for those in 2021.

“The only happened around 2021, where a lecturer was dismissed for sexual harassment and ever since, there has never been case of sexual harassment, except for this recent investigation” he added.

He was unable to provide details on how the 2021 case was reported and could not recall the name of the lecturer involved.

Portable remanded in Kwara prison over failure to meet bail conditions

Mustapha USMAN
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0
Portable remanded in Kwara prison over failure to meet bail conditions

CONTROVERSIAL Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, the Kwara State, for failing to meet bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court.

The singer was arraigned on Monday, April 14, before the Area Court sitting in Ilorin over allegations of defamation character levelled against him by a Fuji musician Akorede Saheed, also known as Saheed Osupa.

The court granted him bail of N1 million among other conditions, shortly after the charges were read, but the singer was unable to meet the bail requirements as of the time of filing this report, according to media reports.

The singer was also asked to provide two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the other must be a resident property owner in a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, with a valid Certificate of Occupancy as proof.

The ICIR reported that Kwara State police on Sunday, arrested singer ‘Portable’, over allegations of criminal defamation, threat to life, and incitement against Osupa.

The controversial musician was also accused of character assassination by the police.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara Command, Superintendent (SP) Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement released on Sunday, April 14, said the command acted by the law after receiving credible evidence to support the petition.

According to the police, the petition borders on serious allegations, which include criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and the use of abusive and insulting words.

The police said Portable was arrested in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, April 13, 2025, around 7:25 pm, by Kwara State Police officers who had obtained an arrest warrant from a Magistrate Court in Ilorin. 

The ICIR reported that Portable surrendered to the Lagos State Police Command in February 2025 after he was declared wanted by the Ogun State Police Command.

His then arrest followed an incident on February 5, 2025, in which he was accused of leading a violent attack on government officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development during an enforcement exercise in Ota. 

FUOYE VC Fasina placed on 6-month leave amid sexual harassment investigation

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FUOYE VC Fasina placed on 6-month leave amid sexual harassment investigation

A professor, Abayomi Sunday Fasina who is the vice-chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has been directed to proceed on a six-month leave by the university’s Governing Council.

Fasina is currently under investigation over allegations of sexual harassment within the institution.

In the interim, Deputy Vice-Chancellor a professor, Olubunmi S. Shittu has been appointed to serve in an acting capacity.

Read the update HERE

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