Linda Ikeji To Appear Before UNILAG Sexual Harassment Panel

Popular Nigerian blogger, Linda Ifeoma Ikeji, and a former student of the University of Lagos, Joy Nwanna, have been summoned by the vice chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to investigate an allegation of “sex for marks” levelled against a lecturer in the institution.

Recall that In May 2018, Linda Ikeji featured a post of semi-nude photographs of Prof Segun Awonusi of the English Department sent by Nwanna for sexually harassing her in his office.

The Vice-Chancellor, in an appeal he made on Monday at the Senate chamber in Abuja, asked Nwanna and Ikeji to appear before the sexual harassment panel.

Ogundipe said the presence of Ikeji and Nwanna would help the panel led by Prof Chioma Agonmo to unravel the allegations.

Nwanna was a student of the University between 2012/2013 and 2015/2016 academic sessions.

While investigating the matter, Prof Ogundipe said the five-member panel dug out contacts from Miss Nwanna’s student records and tried reaching out to her and her next of kin but met a brick wall.

“She gave us the name of the next of kin, Samuel Nwanna. His number is 08060971976. We called but it did not go through.

“Her sponsor is known as Idighisai Grace. The phone number is 07033543627. We got in touch, but it was another person that responded.

“The number with us concerning Joy Nwanna is 07035574747. It was one Yakubu Idris that picked the call.

“This particular individual had different personalities. If she is ready to attend to the request of the panel, we will give her necessary cover.

“And even Linda Ikeji, who is an alumnus, we are appealing that as a proud alumnus of this university, she should assist this university to get to the bottom of this issue so that the name of the University will not be ridiculed.

“The email address she used to getting across to Awonusi, we sent a mail but got no reply.”

The VC said Awonusi on his part had appeared before the panel twice.

“Awonusi submitted a written report; the committee looked at the report. He submitted the email she sent to him and appeared before the panel twice,” he said.

Unfortunately, Ogundipe said the panel got no response from any other students regarding the sexual harassment case.

“The panel called on other students who had information about the case or others to come forward, but nobody came forward,” he said.

Ogundipe said the University would not rule out using law enforcement agencies to trace Nwanna, adding that members of the public with relevant information should help the University with the investigation.