The management of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, has rejected aspects of the statement issued by the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, concerning allegations of sexual assault reportedly involving some military personnel and members of the university community.
In a statement issued on Friday by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the institution acknowledged the Army’s decision to establish a Board of Inquiry but expressed reservations over the expectation that alleged victims should report directly to the same institution whose personnel are the subject of the allegations.
The University said such an approach failed to recognise 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.
It also rejected any suggestion that it should disclose 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.
The University reaffirmed that the welfare and safety of its students remain its highest 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.
UNIOSUN 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.
The institution also disagreed with the Depot Nigerian Army’s description of the Vice-Chancellor’s comments as unconfirmed or potentially misleading, insisting that the remarks were made responsibly, in good faith and in fulfilment of the University’s statutory and moral obligation to safeguard its students.
It stated that universities do not make careless statements and announced that it had instructed its legal advisers to commence appropriate legal proceedings to protect 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.
DAILY POST had reported that the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, had appealed to victims and witnesses of the soldier’s assault on the UNIOSUN hostels to provide evidence to assist the ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some recently passed-out military personnel.
