The Lagos State University (LASU) has formally dismissed two senior academic staff members for offences bordering on sexual harassment, financial impropriety, and gross professional misconduct.
The dismissals were approved during the university’s 143rd Statutory Governing Council meeting, held on Friday, following a detailed internal investigation prompted by a formal petition submitted by Taofeek Adekunle of the Take It Back Movement. The petition levelled grave allegations against the affected lecturers, including sexual misconduct and unethical financial dealings.
Those sanctioned include Professor Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikanda, Dean of the Epe Campus and senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Science, and Mrs Khadeejat Kareem-Ibraheem, Coordinator of the Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture.
In an official statement issued by the LASU Registrar and Secretary to Council, Emmanuel Fanu, both individuals were found culpable of flagrant violations of the university’s code of conduct as enshrined in LASU’s 2017 Conditions of Service (as amended).
Professor Abanikanda was found guilty on multiple counts, including the inhumane treatment of final-year students, whom he reportedly compelled to remain at the university farm from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. without breaks, food, or shelter – even under heavy rainfall.
He was also indicted for sexual harassment of female students, verbal abuse and threats against colleagues and students, and unauthorised collection of funds from members of the university community – all actions deemed grossly unbefitting of his office.
The statement read:
“Dean, School of Agriculture, Epe Campus, Prof. Olatunji Tajudeen Fasasi Abanikanda, was dismissed over multiple allegations… including subjecting 400-level students to inhumane treatment, sexual harassment, emotional and verbal abuse, and unauthorised monetary collections from staff and students – actions prejudicial to the university’s ethos and security.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Kareem-Ibraheem was dismissed on the grounds of financial mismanagement and dereliction of duty. She was found to have violated university procedures by failing to remit over ₦10 million generated from the sale of farm produce, instead lodging the funds into her personal bank account.
The Governing Council described both cases as egregious violations that compromise the ethical and academic integrity of the institution.
LASU has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of accountability, integrity, and student welfare, stressing that misconduct of any kind, regardless of rank or status, will be met with decisive disciplinary action.
