Assault: OAU Apologises For Lecturer’s Shenanigan

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has apologised to the public, particularly its alumni, over the alleged assault on a 200-level student of the university, identified as Gift by a lecturer on Wednesday.

Osun Defender had reported that the student mistakenly dashed into a lecture room where the lecturer, identified simply as Dr. Ariyo, was conducting a class.

Upon realising his mistake, he quickly attempted to exit the class when the lecturer called him back.

In one of the videos of the incident that circulated online, the student was seen struggling with a man said to be a security official.

The student was also seen attempting to press his phone when the lecturer shouted, “Don’t call anybody! Switch off that phone! You can’t be more than me, even if you’re the VC’s son, I won’t take this from you. Switch off the phone.

The management of the University on Wednesday, said it was probing the incident.

Reacting further on Thursday, the management through a
statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, apologised for the conduct of the lecturer.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the authorities of OAU has been drawn to a video that has gone viral about a lecturer in the university who allegedly assaulted a part two student.

“Displeased with what he saw in the video, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Adebayo Bamire, has waded into the matter to set up a committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the whole scenario.

“What happened in the viral video is not in our character. We are a decent and diligent set of people who will not tolerate any form of abuse or maltreatment from anyone. We, therefore, apologise to the people, especially our alumni, whose sensibilities might have been assaulted by that shenanigan.

“We appeal to our students to remain calm and conduct their normal academic activities. We assure all stakeholders that justice will be served accordingly and appropriately.”