KASU blows hot, suspends A.B. Umar – TheNigerialawyer

The Kaduna State University (KASU), on Wednesday descended on
one of its academic staff, Mr Bala Umar, popularly known as A.B.
Umar, for allegedly soliciting sex for grade.

In a management meeting on Wednesday, KASU said a committee was
set up to investigate the allegations against Umar, following a
one-man protest at KASU by a female graduate of Ahmadu Bello
University (ABU), Zaria.

The lady, whose name was not given, alleged that Umar, who was
sacked by ABU for sexual misconduct and later employed by KASU, was
not fit to be a lecturer in any institution.

KASU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academics, Prof. Abdullahi
Ashafa, who chaired the meeting, said KASU had zero tolerance for
such misconduct by its members of staff and would deal
appropriately with anyone found wanting.

Ashafa said the university was therefore proceeding with
investigations on the allegations leveled against Umar.

“This is a normal management meeting that holds every week as
mandated by the Institution’s management to receive reports from
faculties, directorates and units of the university.

“Sometimes in the first week of October, a lady who was an
ex-student of ABU twitted that a former staff of the institution
who is employed by KASU, had sexually harassed her when he was a
staff at ABU.

“She mentioned his name and the vice chancellor of KASU quickly
formed a committee to investigate the issue, not only to clear its
name, but to reassure parents and students who are studying here or
intend to study of their safety.

“KASU is building a reputable name as a centre of excellence, so
such allegations need to be investigated and cleared.

“The incident did not occur in KASU, but the way the issue is
being portrayed is like we are providing a safe haven for those
whose appointments had been terminated elsewhere.

“Umar was appointed in error; there was no much investigation to
ascertain what made him leave ABU at the age of 54.

Ashafa disclosed that two committees were set up; one was to
investigate Umar’s case, while the second was for general
investigation on events on campus relating to both academic and
non-academic employees of the institution.

“The second committee is to also collect testimonies and
memoranda from past and current students who are victims of such
misconduct; and who are willing to share their experiences.

“The university is interested in unraveling such incidences that
have not come to light; and would take drastic measures to serve as
deterrence to would be offenders,’’ he said.

The DVC assured that though Umar was a management staff, he had
been summarily suspended for proper investigation.

“If found guilty of tarnishing the image of the university, he
will be queried, suspended and placed on half salary, then the
reports and other decisions will be tabled before the university
council for final decision.

Prof. Hauwa Evelin-Yusuf, of the Sociology Department, who
chaired the first committee, said that members were to investigate
the appointment of Umar, as well as the reasons he left ABU, and
make recommendations.

“ABU terminated Umar’s appointment on misconduct bordering on
extortion of students in July 2013 and KASU absorbed him in
September 2013.

“Our findings showed that Umar should have been employed on
contract basis if his services were needed because he has no PHD
and was 54 years at that time.

“We also discovered some discrepancies in his submission and
that of some students that were interviewed, there were allegations
of unethical behaviours and sexual advances.

“There were no evidences to substantiate the allegations, though
there were students whose names were mentioned.

“Further investigation should also be carried in a twist in the
case when a student came into the university vicinity carrying a
placard that she was a victim.

“We cannot identify the lady, but we have her picture and we
need to look for her, know who she is and to ascertain if she is a
student of KASU or ABU, we do not have that information.

“This is why we recommend another committee because this other
issue came after our reports have been concluded,’’ she said.

Evelin-Yusuf’s committee recommended that Umar’s appointment be
converted to contract with immediate effect; and the university
could take further decisions.

She called on Nigerian students to be bold and report all forms
of extortion, harassment or unethical behaviours by lecturers that
were capable of tarnishing their future and the reputation of
Nigerian universities.

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