UNIBEN refers rape, unlawful detention allegation against lecturer to police

The management of the University of Benin (Uniben) has referred cases of alleged rape and unlawful detention against one of its lecturers, Dr Steve Ekundayo, to the police for investigation.

The university, while reacting to the allegations in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire on Thursday in Benin, attributed the decision to the gravity of the allegations and the legal issues involved.

It was reported that Ekundayo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Literature, allegedly raped a 400-level student in his office on Tuesday and subsequently locked her up for several hours.

The police, however, reportedly rescued the student following a distress text message the victim sent to a friend.

The lecturer was said to have been nabbed by the police, a report yet to be confirmed by the security agency.

But Ehanire in the statement stated that the management had directed that the lecturer be issued a query and be placed on interdiction pending the conclusion of investigations by the police.

The statement read in part: “A security report of preliminary investigation into alleged rape and detention of a 400-level female student of the Department of English and Literature, University of Benin, by a lecturer in the department has been submitted to the management of the university.

“Considering the gravity of the allegations and legal issues involved, the matter has been referred to the police for further investigation.

“Management is, however, not oblivious of its responsibility of ensuring proper conduct by both staff and students of the university.

“Accordingly, management has directed that the lecturer, Dr Bode Steve Ekundayo, be issued with a query and placed on interdiction pending the conclusion of investigations by the police.

“These are in line with internal mechanisms as contained in the Regulations Governing the Service of Senior Staff of the University, 2017.”

The management assured the staff, students, parents and other stakeholders that investigations into the matter would be pursued to its logical conclusion to ensure justice.