Dr. Omowumi Olabode Steven Ekundayo, a Lecturer of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who was recently discharged and acquitted of alleged sexual assault on a female student, has called for the lifting of his suspension, placed on him by the University.
The University don with the Department of English and Literature, who made the call in a chat with Tribune Online on Thursday in Benin also demanded the institution to announce his Professorship which he said is long overdue.
He said “Uniben authorities should lift my suspension, facilitate the payment of my withheld salaries and promotion to Professor already due.
“They have already assessed me successfully for Associate Professorship in 2021 and I have already qualified for Professorship, and by His Grace, I have all it takes.
“They should pay my withheld salaries for three years. They were paying between 6,000 and 49,000 as my basic salary for three years, contrary to the rules and regulations.
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“I had a close shave with death by suicide, depression and even amnesia.
“I believe very sincerely that the university authorities could have been more sympathetic and equitable to my predicament.
“How they handled the investigation, a long story better avoided now, the kind of news they dished out were shocking”, he said
Asked if he intends to press charges against the student and the school, the Lecturer said “I believe Anita Adesuwa, the girl, was manipulated socio-spiritually or hypnotically by those who wanted to ruin me and her too. I hope she asks for forgiveness by God, Nature and Society.
“I can only think of suing them to court for damages and this depends on the post-court-verdict reaction of Uniben authorities.
“If they are straight, they ought to call me for humane reconciliation because I am still going to work there by his grace. I am not thinking of revenge at all.
“I will offend all God has done for me these three years if I pursue crude revenge. That will be reducing myself to the level of their primordial instincts.
“For me, victory is the sweetest revenge I can ever have, and I already have it. It is what you are that you reflect to or on the world. This is my message and position”.
The University Don, who was full of gratitude to God Almighty, for saving him from alleged premeditated false accusations, profusely thanked all those who stood by him during his period of ordeal.
Recall that Dr. Bode Ekundayo was accused of sexually assaulting a final year female student in his office on October 5, 2021.
Consequently, he was issued a query and placed on interdiction pending the final determination of the case in court by Management of the University.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Mary Itsueli, while upholding the no case submission filed by the defense counsel and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, maintained that the prosecution team also failed to tender the University of Benin Health Center medical report as exhibit to court during the trial, which clearly negate the claims of the claimant and the institution.
