A human rights advocacy group
Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has called on Management of University of Port Harcourt(UNIPORT) to properly investigate the case in which a Male lecturer in foreign languages and Literatures alleged that he was physically assaulted by a female student.
The Centre in a statement on Friday 6,July, 2021 by its National Coordinator, Prince Wiro which was made available to Journalists said the University should give fairing hearing to parties involved in the matter as some other report from course mates of the female student who spoke to the centre alleged that the lecturer was beaten when he attempted to sexually assault the female student in her off campus room at Aluu when he visited her.
Mr.Wiro urged the University to ensure the witnesses of the lecturer and the female student are considered and allowed to make voluntary statement at the panel investigating the matter.
Mr Wiro stated that the Centre believe in the capacity of the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Owunari Georgewill to ensure justice to the parties involved.
Mr Wiro enjoined students of higher institutions who are experiencing sexual harassment and extortion to approach rights group in the state for guidance and advise.
In the meantime, University of Port Harcourt has responded to the report of alleged sexual assault.
Read Below Press Release By The University
The attention of the Management of the University of Port Harcourt has been drawn to an online story with the caption: “Uniport Lecturer beaten, tells Senate he was kidnapped.”
The story is credited to an online platform.
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. However, it is not true that the case was reported to Senate of the University as the online blog insinuated in its report.
Members of the public are therefore, enjoined to remain calm as the institution will spare no effort to deal decisively with any one 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.
In the final analysis, 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.
Thank you.
SAM KPENU
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER