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Sex-for-marks: No sanction too harsh for culprits – MSSN

By Shakirah Adunola
12 October 2019   |   4:02 am
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been urged to ensure justice in the sex-for-marks allegation against its lecturers, as no sanction is too harsh for any culprit.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been urged to ensure justice in the sex-for-marks allegation against its lecturers, as no sanction is too harsh for any culprit.

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in Lagos State, in a statement to commemorate the 2019 International Girl Child Day, however, demanded thorough investigation into the cases.

UNILAG had reportedly begun investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against two of its lecturers, who have already been suspended.

President of the MSSN, Lagos, Saheed Ashafa, in the statement, expressed concern over abuses of female students.

“On the specific matter of sex-for-grades, we posit that all extant and emerging cases must be duly and justly prosecuted without any form of fear or favour to all parties involved. Investigation of pending cases must be made public when concluded. Higher authorities must supervise and ensure that justice prevails,” he added.

Ashafa described the continuous bullying of females in schools and higher institutions as worrisome.

According to him, many students are still denied their fundamental rights in schools.

He said, “We are deeply disturbed about the plethora of abuses to which our girls are being subjected, especially in Nigeria. We wish to emphasise that no sanction is too harsh for teachers or lecturers who coerce students into sexual ‘contract’.

“Violation of their rights to education, religion, thought and expression has become worrisome and highly depressing.

“It is pertinent to note that many of our girls are bullied by apparently more powerful teachers across educational institutions in the country. The perception that restricts sexual abuses of girls to only higher institutions of learning is half-truth”

The Muslim students’ leader hailed the theme of this year’s International Girl Child Day, ‘Girl Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable’.

“We join the rest of the world to recognise the sensitive place of the girl as a vulnerable specie of humankind. We equally acknowledge the theme for this year as worthy and timely,” he added.

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