Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The SOFADONDO (SDD), an advocacy group against harassment of female students, has commended the Independent Corrupt Practises Commission (ICPC) over moves to arraign Prof. Richard Akindele who was indicted and dismissed by the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for the alleged harassment of Ms Monica Osagie.
The SDD, in a statement by its Convener, Dr. Albert Obiozo, and its Legal Adviser, Barr. Arinze Odiari, stated that in line with the mission statement released to the public on the formation of SDD, “We would like to commend the ICPC for staying true to its mandate to prosecute those indicted for corrupt practises”.
The group which implore ICPC not to relent in its efforts to rid Nigerian tertiary institutions of compromised staff task it to investigate allegations levelled against three dismissed lecturers from the Lagos State University (LASU).
It commended OAU and LASU, “For blazing the trail in dismissing indicted lecturers over molestation and harassment of female students” adding that leadership of other tertiary institutions to take a cue from OAU and LASU to fight the scourge of “harassment rearing its ugly head in their various higher institutions of learning”.
SDD called on all victims of harassment to take advantage of the platform provided by it to help fight their cause.
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The statement read in part, “As for victims suffering in silence.
“We want to reiterate our mission statement that SDD remains a viable platform that is willing to assist them to get justice.
“We have a robust legal department that has set machinery in motion to partner with the ICPC in bringing the case of voiceless victims to the fore.
“Victims with cases should visit our website to report at www.sofadondo.org For the avoidance of doubt, SDD as a duly registered organisation concerned about the problem of female harassment in tertiary institutions would continue to strive to do everything within the ambit of the Nigerian laws to expose male lecturers that prey on innocent female students. We are irrevocably committed to stand up for the vulnerable, the oppressed and the downtrodden against all forms of sexual harassment and molestation.”