The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has publicly condemned sexual violence and formally disowned a man recently convicted of sexually violating a minor, stating he was never an employee of the institution.
University Sets the Record Straight
In a statement made on Saturday, the Vice Chancellor of LASUED, Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, addressed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos to clarify the institution's position. She vehemently reaffirmed the university's zero-tolerance stance towards sexual violence, describing the act as one that debases humanity.
Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye specifically addressed the conviction of Mr Kolawole Muyiwa, stressing that he was never employed by the university. She emphasized that this public clarification was essential to discourage such criminal behaviour and to ensure the public record was accurate.
Intruder, Not Staff Member
The Vice Chancellor revealed a critical detail, describing Muyiwa as an intruder within the university community. She explained that the convict was introduced to the campus environment by Mr Sunday Fawowe, a lecturer at the institution.
According to her account, the lecturer permitted his friend to use his office. It was within this university office that the gross violation of a female student occurred. The Vice Chancellor confirmed that the victim was a minor at the time the crime was committed in 2021.
Legal Proceedings and Misrepresentation
Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye detailed the university's response, stating that the institution reported the incident, leading to Muyiwa's prosecution and subsequent conviction. However, she noted a significant inaccuracy in the official court judgment delivered on February 27, 2025.
The court's ruling wrongly identified Muyiwa as a staff member of LASUED. The Vice Chancellor stated unequivocally, "The university hereby unequivocally states that he was never in the employment of the institution."
When contacted for comment, the lecturer linked to the incident, Mr Sunday Fawowe, declined to speak on the matter.
