The management of Osun State University has rejected aspects of the statement issued by the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, over allegations of sexual assault reportedly involving some military personnel and members of the university community.
PUNCH Online had reported that the Depot Nigerian Army said it has not received any formal complaint or credible evidence to substantiate rape allegations linked to some recently passed-out personnel, even as it reaffirmed that an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct would be thorough and transparent.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Major Ibrahim Yahaya, the Army stated that the allegations had been attributed to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, and amplified on social media platforms.
The army appealed to victims and witnesses of the alleged assault at the UNIOSUN hostels to provide evidence to assist its ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some recently passed-out military personnel.
It, however, said the Board of Inquiry earlier constituted to investigate allegations against its personnel remains at work.
In a statement released on Friday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the institution welcomed the Army’s decision to set up a Board of Inquiry but expressed concerns over the expectation that alleged victims should report directly to the same institution whose personnel are the subject of the allegations.
According to the university, such an approach does not take into account 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 institution also rejected any suggestion that it should reveal 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,” the statement said.
UNIOSUN reiterated that the welfare and safety of its students remain its top priority, adding that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, would continue to support students who report harassment, assault or abuse.
According to the statement, “the Vice-Chancellor’s earlier comments were not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation or sensationalise the matter but were made in fulfilment of the University’s responsibility to address concerns affecting the safety and well-being of its students.”
The university maintained that investigations into allegations of sexual assault should be victim-centred, independent, transparent and capable of inspiring public confidence.
“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 added.
UNIOSUN also disagreed with the Depot Nigerian Army’s characterisation of the Vice-Chancellor’s comments as unconfirmed or potentially misleading, insisting that the remarks were made responsibly, in good faith and in line with the institution’s statutory and moral obligation to protect its students.
The university further announced that it had instructed its legal advisers to commence appropriate legal proceedings to safeguard 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 said.
