The Vice-Chancellor of Anchor University, Lagos, Prof. Samuel Bandele, has reaffirmed the institution’s strict stance against any form of indecent behavior on its campus.
He stated that the university had zero tolerance for such misconduct and would never condone or cover up any violations.
In a statement released on Monday, Bandele responded to a recent incident involving a student, Evangel Ganiyu, who alleged via a tweet that an artisan, hired for renovation work in the female hostel, attempted to sexually assault her while she slept.
Bandele condemned the act, assuring the public that the suspect was currently in police custody at the Ayobo Police Station and would face the law to determine his innocence or guilt.
The Vice-Chancellor dismissed rumors that the university might attempt to conceal the incident, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to justice and transparency.
He stated, “Anchor University is a responsible institution, governed by the fear of God and fully compliant with the law of the land. The idea that we would shield a suspect in such a serious case is baseless.”
Bandele clarified that the suspect was not a staff member but an artisan contracted for ongoing renovations in the female hostel.
“The artisan was brought in by his supervisor, who was contracted to carry out renovation work. The claim that the university would cover up such an incident is completely unfounded,” he said.
He also addressed Ganiyu’s allegations, saying that this was the first time a case of this nature had been brought to his attention.
He encouraged any student who had experienced similar situations to come forward, assuring them that the university would conduct a thorough investigation.
“When the Female Hall Supervisor, Mrs Grace Abodunde, brought Evangel to my office, I asked important questions to verify her claims before we officially reported the matter to the police,” Bandele explained.
He added that during the initial investigation, Ganiyu appeared hesitant, which led him to stress the importance of taking the matter seriously so it could be properly addressed.
“We acted swiftly and responsibly, and as of now, the case is being handled by the Ayobo police,” he said.
In his statement, the Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s measures to maintain discipline and safeguard students.
He added, “As part of our commitment to upholding ethical standards, we conduct mandatory pregnancy tests for all female students upon admission. Additionally, we carry out random drug tests to ensure our students are free from drug-related issues. We do not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary.”
Bandele emphasised that Anchor University was a place of learning and moral development.
“This is not a haven for unserious students. Our goal is to mold young people into responsible adults who can contribute meaningfully to society. That is our mission, by the grace of God,” he declared.
Supporting the Vice-Chancellor’s statements, Hall Supervisor Mrs Abodunde confirmed that this was the first time Ganiyu had reported such an incident.
She debunked claims that the school treated sexual harassment lightly, affirming that the university responded promptly once the issue was brought to her attention.
“Immediately after Evangel reported the incident to me, I escalated it to the authorities, and they acted without delay,” Abodunde said.