Nigerian lecturer based in Uganda, Dr. Lukman Abiodun, has been dismissed by the management of Kabale University, over allegation of sexual misconduct involving female students of the institution.
Until Abiodun was sacked, he was the Head of the Department of Economics and Statistics in the institution, according to Punch.
Abiodun was accused of demanding sex from female students in exchange for marks and failed students who refused his advances.
The institution’s secretary, Johnson Munono, announced Abiodun’s dismissal in a letter trending online.
The letter, dated November 9, 2022, read in part, “I regret to inform you that the Appointments Board of Kabale University under Min.598/60/AB/2022 found you guilty of sexual harassment, failure to follow examination regulations and professional negligence.
“The Board therefore directed that you be severely reprimanded and your interdiction be lifted. The Board further resolved not to renew your contract as Senior Lecturer–Statistics when it expires on November 11, 2022.
“You are therefore required to hand over all the university property in your possession to the Dean, Faculty of Economics and Management Science, in the presence of the Internal Auditor.”
However, a source from the university said the Nigeria Community and Lecturers’ Association was studying the situation, adding that Abiodun might have been set up.
He said, “The allegation may not be true. The lecturer is not a very friendly person and might have been set up. The Nigeria Community and Lecturers Association are still studying the situation. They shall take legal steps if need be.”
Contacted, the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, confirmed the report.
Balogun said, “I can confirm it but there is nothing the Commission can do. Any Nigerian that willingly or unwillingly committed a crime in another country should face the music.
“The government will not come out to defend them and say that the country should not impose its laws. Lecturers in Nigeria are suspended over sexual assault also.”