UNIOSUN faulted the demand that it should disclose the identities of students who were allegedly sexually assaulted or compel them to appear before military authorities.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has confirmed that it will be pursuing legal action against those who allegedly invaded its student hostel and sexually assaulted students, rejecting demands made by the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo.
The tertiary institution made this known on Friday via a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji.
Earlier, the Army, whose personnel were accused of perpetrating the act, had issued a statement appealing to victims and witnesses of the soldiers’ assault to provide evidence to assist its ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving recently passed-out military personnel.
Reacting to the appeal, UNIOSUN acknowledged the Army’s decision to establish a Board of Inquiry but expressed reservations over the expectation that alleged victims should report directly to the same institution whose personnel are the subject of the allegations.
The university noted that such an approach failed to recognise the trauma, fear, intimidation, and psychological barriers that often discourage survivors of sexual violence from reporting directly to institutions they may associate with the alleged perpetrators.
“The University believes that survivors of sexual violence should never be placed in circumstances where they may reasonably fear intimidation or victimisation by being required to report directly to those connected with the subject of an investigation,” the statement said.
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It also rejected any suggestion that it should disclose the identities of affected students or compel them to appear before military authorities.
“Osun State University owes every student a duty of care, confidentiality, and protection. The University will not compromise the privacy, dignity, or safety of any student by disclosing identities without their informed consent or in contravention of applicable laws,” Adesoji added.
The university further reaffirmed that the welfare and safety of its students remain its highest priority, adding that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, would continue to support students who report harassment, assault, or abuse.
It also clarified that the VC’s earlier comments were not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation or sensationalise the matter.
UNIOSUN maintained that investigations into allegations of sexual assault should be victim-centred, independent, transparent, and capable of inspiring public confidence.
The institution also disagreed with the Depot Nigerian Army’s description of the Vice-Chancellor’s comments as unconfirmed or potentially misleading, insisting that the remarks were made responsibly, in good faith, and in fulfilment of the university’s statutory and moral obligation to safeguard its students.
It stated that universities do not make careless statements and announced that it had instructed its legal advisers to commence appropriate legal proceedings to protect the integrity of the institution, the reputation of the Vice-Chancellor, and the interests of its students.
“The appropriate judicial process provides the proper forum for resolving the issues arising from this unfortunate development,” the statement concluded.
