Lecturer publicly flogged after alleged harassment of married student
A lecturer at a Nigerian tertiary institution was severely flogged by the husband of a married female student after she accused him of persistent sexual harassment and demanding sex in exchange for better grades. The incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, shows the lecturer being beaten with a cane while pleading for mercy.
According to reports, the student had repeatedly rejected the lecturer's advances and reported him to the school authorities, but no action was taken. Frustrated, she confided in her husband, who then decided to confront the lecturer physically.
Video shows lecturer begging as husband delivers punishment
The viral video shows the husband confronting the lecturer in what appears to be a classroom or office. The lecturer is seen kneeling and begging, saying, “Please, I am sorry. I will never do it again.” The husband, however, continues to flog him, stating that his wife had been traumatized by the harassment. Bystanders watched but did not intervene.
“You see this woman? She is my wife. You have been disturbing her for sex. You want to fail her? See what I will do to you,” the husband is heard saying in the video.
Incident sparks debate on jungle justice vs. institutional failure
The incident has ignited a heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the act of jungle justice while others argue that it reflects the failure of school authorities to address sexual harassment complaints. Some users pointed out that the lecturer should have been reported to the police rather than being physically assaulted.
“This is not justice. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The lecturer should be arrested and prosecuted, not beaten,” one Twitter user wrote.
Others supported the husband’s actions, saying that the lecturer got what he deserved. “If the school refuses to act, the husband has every right to defend his wife. This will serve as a deterrent to other lecturers,” another comment read.
Institutional response and legal implications
Neither the lecturer nor the institution has been officially identified as of press time. However, human rights activists have called for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing that while sexual harassment is a serious offense, taking the law into one's own hands undermines the rule of law.
The Nigeria Police Force has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Legal experts note that the husband could face assault charges if the lecturer decides to press charges, but the lecturer himself could be prosecuted for sexual harassment under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
Broader context of sexual harassment in Nigerian schools
Sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions remains a pervasive issue, with many victims reluctant to speak out due to fear of victimization or lack of trust in institutional mechanisms. According to a 2023 report by the Association of African Universities, nearly 70% of female students in Nigerian universities have experienced some form of sexual harassment, but only 10% formally report it.
Activists argue that institutions must establish independent and effective complaint mechanisms to handle such cases promptly. “The failure of schools to act creates a culture of impunity, and incidents like this are a symptom of that failure,” said a spokesperson for the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA).
