UNIBEN suspends lecturer, orders probe of alleged student’s rape

The management of the University of Benin said on Thursday said it had referred to the police a case of alleged rape against a lecturer, Dr Bode Ekundayo of the Department of English and Literature.

It added that the lecturer, Dr Bode Ekundayo, had been issued a query and placed on suspension pending the conclusion of investigations by the police.

Reports of the alleged rape, which was said to have been committed on October 5 in the lecturer’s office, broke out on Wednesday.

A video showing the lecturer pleading for forgiveness after allegedly committing the crime also went viral on social media after it was initially posted on the victim’s class WhatsApp group.

A statement by the institution’s spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, on Thursday said a preliminary report on the issue had been submitted to university management.

The statement reads partly, “Considering the gravity of the allegations and legal issues involved, the matter has been referred to the police for further investigation.

“Management is, however, not oblivious of its responsibility of ensuring proper conduct by both staff and students of the university.

“Accordingly, management has directed that the lecturer, Dr Bode Ekundayo, be issued a query and placed on interdiction pending the conclusion of investigations by the police.

“These are in line with internal mechanisms as contained in the ‘Regulations Governing the Service of Senior Staff of the University on Benin, 2017.’

“Management assures staff, students, parents and other stakeholders that the investigation will be pursued to its logical conclusion to ensure that justice is served.”