Alleged Sexual Assault: Osun State University Rejects Nigerian Army’s Claims, Heads To Court

The management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has rejected key aspects of the Nigerian Army’s response to allegations of sexual assault reportedly involving some military personnel and members of the university community, insisting that victims cannot be expected to report directly to the same institution whose personnel are accused.

The university also announced that it has instructed its legal advisers to commence legal proceedings over the matter, saying it would protect the integrity of the institution, the reputation of its Vice-Chancellor and the interests of affected students.

In a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, UNIOSUN acknowledged the decision of the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, to establish a Board of Inquiry into the allegations but faulted its call on alleged victims to come forward before military authorities.

According to the university, such an approach ignores the realities faced by survivors of sexual violence, including fear, trauma, intimidation and other psychological barriers that often prevent victims from reporting directly to institutions associated with the alleged perpetrators.

The institution stressed that it would neither disclose the identities of students involved nor compel any of 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.

UNIOSUN maintained that the welfare and safety of its students remain its foremost priority, adding that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, would continue to support students who report cases of harassment, assault or abuse.

The university also defended earlier comments made by the Vice-Chancellor regarding the allegations, dismissing suggestions that his remarks prejudged the outcome of any investigation.

According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor’s comments were made in good faith and in line with the university’s responsibility to respond to issues affecting the safety and well-being of its students.

“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,” the statement added.

UNIOSUN further argued that investigations into sexual assault allegations must be victim-centred, independent and transparent to inspire 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,” it said.

The institution also rejected the Army’s characterisation of the Vice-Chancellor’s comments as unconfirmed or potentially misleading, insisting that universities do not make careless public statements.

It disclosed that its legal advisers had been directed to initiate appropriate legal action over the matter.

“The appropriate judicial process provides the proper forum for resolving the issues arising from this unfortunate development,” the statement said.

The development follows an earlier statement by the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, which appealed to alleged victims and witnesses to provide evidence to assist an ongoing investigation into claims that some recently passed-out soldiers sexually assaulted female students in hostels around the university.

The army had announced the constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the allegations and urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward as part of the probe.