The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has urged a former student, Joy Nwanna, and popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, to appear before its sexual harassment panel.

The VC who made the appeal Monday at the Senate chambers said the appearance of the duo would help the panel to investigate Joy’s allegations of sexual harassment against Prof Segun Awonusi of the university’s English department.

He also urged the press, Linda Ikeji and members of the general public to assist the University by impressing it on Ms.Nwanna to come forward to substantiate her claim.

The VC  also reiterated the determination of the University of Lagos to grant adequate protection to both Ms. Nwana and Linda Ikeji, should they accept the invitation extended to them.

Recall that in May, Linda Ikeji featured a post of semi-nude photographs of Awonusi sent by Nwanna who accused him of frequent sexual harassment.

The statement reads.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON INTERIM REPORT OF THE FACT-FINDING PANEL ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, hosted a press conference on the preliminary report of the ongoing investigation into the case of alleged sexual harassment made against Professor Awonusi of the Department of English by Ms. Joy Nwanna.

He reported that the 5-man Fact Finding Panel, headed by Professor Chioma Agomo, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, found that:

1. Ms. Nwanna was truly a graduate of the University of Lagos, having graduated from the Department of English in the 2015/2016 academic session.

2. However, claims made by Ms. Nwanna and Linda Ikeji Blog could not be substantiated, because of their repeated absence at the Panel’s enquiry sessions

3. Attempts by the Panel to get both Ms Nwana and Linda Ikeji to make representations at the sessions did not yield desired results.

He urged the Press, Linda Ikeji and members of the general public to assist the University by impressing it on Ms.Nwanna to come forward to substantiate her claim.

He reiterated the determination of the University of Lagos to grant adequate protection to both Ms. Nwana and Linda Ikeji, distinguished alumni of the university, should they accept the invitation extended to them.

He promised the University would continue with its investigations and would leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter, with regular updates made available to the public as events unfold.

In response to questions fielded by members of the Press, the Vice-Chancellor itemised moves already being made the University to guarantee the well-being of both staff and students, highlighting the commitment of the University never to compromise standards.