UNIPORT launches probe into allegations of sexual assault against lecturer

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has launched investigations into an allegation that a lecturer sexually assaulted a year-one female student of the institution.

The lecturer of Foreign Languages and Literatures, whose name was kept under wraps, allegedly committed the act at the student’s off-campus room at Aluu in Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The lecturer was reportedly beaten at the premises by some aggrieved male students when the girl raised the alarm over attempted rape.

But the man was said to have later claimed that he was beaten by kidnappers.

Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, complained the student could not turn up to write examinations on the courses handled by the suspect and demanded a proper investigation into the case.

The National Coordinator of the centre, Prince Wiro, urged the university to give fair hearing to the parties involved in the matter and bring any one found culpable to book.

But the UNIPORT’s Public Relations Officer, Sam Kpenu, said the university was already investigating the matter.

Kpenu said: “This is to inform the public that a case of assault was reported by a Lecturer in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures against a female student in same Department of the University. The management wishes to confirm that it has received such complaint, which is currently being investigated by the appropriate authorities. The findings would be made public in no distant time”.

He, however, dismissed earlier claims that the case was reported to the Senate of the university.

He said: “Members of the public are therefore, enjoined to remain calm as the institution will spare no effort to deal decisively with anyone found culpable in line with the policy document on sexual harassment of the University which is made available to all staff and students.

“The management wishes to reiterate that it welcomes inquiries as the institution runs an open-door policy and wishes to thank members of the public for their continued faith in the Institution and for believing in it as socially responsible.

“The university will continue to promote love, excellence, integrity and accountability in all it does and will never harbour staff nor students with questionable character,” he said.

Courtesy (excluding headline) The Nation