Despite several evidences, the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has rejected the sexual harassment allegations levelled against the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi S. Fasina, by a senior engineer, Engr. Folasade Adebayo. 

The council instead condemned the recording of the Vice-Chancellor without his knowledge or consent and issued Adebayo a warning, directing her to apologise for allegedly tarnishing the image of the university.

This decision was disclosed in a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Mufutau A. Ibrahim, after the Council’s 8th Extraordinary Meeting held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

According to the statement, the Council reviewed the findings of various investigative panels, including one on the sexual harassment allegation raised by Engr. Adebayo, who formerly served as Acting Director of Works and Services. 

The Council, however, concluded that no formal complaint of sexual harassment had ever been submitted by Engr. Adebayo, and faulted her conduct in the entire saga.

Council noted that Engr. Folasade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina.

The Council described the audio recordings, allegedly made by Engr. Adebayo, as “tools for blackmail” used in a bid to pressure the university into confirming her as substantive Director of Works, a power the Vice-Chancellor does not possess.

The statement read, "On the alleged case of sexual harassment levelled against the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi S. Fasina; Council asked the Vice Chancellor to recuse himself from the meeting to ensure free and open deliberation on the report. The audio recordings were listened to by all council members with the assistance of a translator. 

"Thereafter, Council discussed the Report exhaustively though the audio recordings were not subjected to any forensic evaluation and arrived at the following: There was no case of sexual harassment thus confirming the earlier investigation by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) during which investigation Engr. Adebayo had made a statement that she was not sexually harassed. 

"All documents relied on in the investigation by the Committee were attached to the report (NPF report, audio tapes, their transcripts, correspondences by the Vice-Chancellor and Engr. Adebayo, minutes of Management meetings etc.)."

The council condemned the recording of the Vice Chancellor without his knowledge and consent. All members of Council agreed that the recordings were tools for blackmail to confirm Engr. Adebayo as substantive Director of Works which the Vice Chancellor has no authority to do.

"Contrary to Engr. Adebayo's allegation that she was removed as Ag. Director of Works and Services, her tenure rather expired.

"Council noted that Engr. Folasade Adebayo never made any complaint of sexual harassment against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi S. Fasina howsoever," they stated. 

They said, "Council directed that Engr. Adebayo be warned for bringing the name of the University to disrepute. She is also directed to write a letter of apology to Council within seven (7) days.

"Council condemned Management for the preferential treatment meted out to Engr. Adebayo by backdating her promotion to 2015 in 2024. Hence, Council directed that Management be formally warned and to desist from such act.

"Council directed that the unwarranted backdated promotion be reviewed appropriately.

Meanwhile, the council directed that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi S. Fasina be advised in writing to be more careful and circumspect in dealing with subordinates.

According to them, "Council is to come up with policies on cyber-bullying, use of social media, community and public relations.

 "Council also condemned the act of recording people without their knowledge and consent as this is inconsistent with the freedoms of an academic community.

" Council is to advertise for the substantive positions of Director of Physical Planning and Director of Works and Services.

"Council will set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to look into all issues within the University, the governing council said.

The statement continues, "Council will also organize On-boarding and Re-orientation programmes for new and existing staff of the University respectively.

"Council directed that letters be written to two former members of Council namely, Messrs Abdullah Salihu Jibrin and Alkali Aji Kolo exonerating them from the false accusation of receiving money for the appointment of the Registrar and Bursar.

"On the issue regarding Internal Review Processes for Promotion to Professorial Cadre with case study on Dr. Ngozi C. Ole, Council reviewed its internal processes for promotion, identified weaknesses and decided on the steps to strengthen FUOYE's internal promotion exercise procedures.

"Finally, following the report of last Visitation Panel to the University, Council identified the need to name roads and buildings within the University after notable Nigerian personalities that either impacted the community, State or the Nation after obtaining their consent to do so," they added.

On January 23, 2025, news media reported that the school VC, Fasina, admitted to making romantic advances toward Adebayo and expressed frustration over the public disclosure of their interaction.

In an audio recording, Fasina admitted to making romantic advances toward Adebayo and expressed frustration over the public disclosure of their interaction.