Cleared, Yet Punished Again: LASUED Suspends Former HOD Over 2021 Rape Case, Sparks Outrage 02/02/26

 The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has suspended a former Head of Department, Mr. Fowowe Simeon Sunday, for another six months over a 2021 rape incident—despite the fact that a university panel had earlier exonerated him and the actual perpetrator has already been convicted and jailed.

SaharaReporters gathered that Fowowe, a former Head of the Department of Early Childhood Care and Education and a prominent member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) within LASUED, was re-suspended following a fresh query issued by the university management in November 2025.

Sources within the institution described the renewed disciplinary action as a targeted witch-hunt, allegedly linked to internal union politics and power struggles.

Background of the 2021 Incident

The rape incident occurred on October 11, 2021, when a part-time lecturer, Mr. Kolawole Muyiwa, allegedly sexually assaulted a female student inside an office allocated to Fowowe, who was serving as HOD at the time.

The office was reportedly shared by Fowowe and another staff member, Mr. Asimolowo Muyiwa, while Kolawole Muyiwa—though a part-time lecturer—frequently used the space.

However, sources disclosed that Fowowe was not on campus on the day of the incident, having travelled for the burial of his late mother with official approval from the Vice-Chancellor.

Following the incident, Kolawole Muyiwa was arrested, prosecuted and in February 2025, convicted by a Lagos High Court. He is currently serving a prison sentence.

Cleared Once, Queried Again

Despite the conviction of the offender, SaharaReporters learnt that Fowowe was also queried in 2021 for allegedly allowing his office to be used for the crime and was suspended for six months. A disciplinary panel later investigated the matter and reportedly cleared him of any wrongdoing.

However, in a fresh twist, the university issued another query dated November 13, 2025, signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, demanding that Fowowe explain why he should not face dismissal.

The document, titled “Query on the use of your office for a criminal act of misconduct involving a student contrary to the University’s Conditions of Service,” referenced the February 2025 court judgment that convicted Kolawole Muyiwa.

The query accused Fowowe of a “failure of leadership” and alleged lapses in supervision, security and duty of care, insisting that the use of his office for the crime constituted a grave breach of responsibility.

He was given 48 hours to respond to four charges, with management warning that failure to reply would be interpreted as an admission of guilt.

Shortly after responding, sources said Fowowe was placed on another six-month suspension over the same incident.

Staff Cry Foul, Allege Union Suppression

Several LASUED staff members who spoke to SaharaReporters described the second suspension as punitive, vindictive and politically motivated.

“The university had already investigated this matter years ago and cleared him. The offender is in prison. Reopening the same issue is clearly an attempt to victimise Comrade Fowowe because of his ASUU role,” a senior academic staff member said.

Multiple sources alleged that Fowowe’s vocal involvement in ASUU activities and leadership mobilisation has put him at odds with the university management.

They further accused the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Balikis Lafiaji-Okuneye, of targeting outspoken union members to weaken opposition ahead of ASUU leadership contests.

Another staff member described the development as “double jeopardy”, noting that Fowowe was being punished twice over the same issue.

Growing Concerns Within LASUED

Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain comments from the Vice-Chancellor and the university’s Public Relations Unit were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

The development has heightened concerns among staff over alleged repression, abuse of disciplinary procedures, and a shrinking space for union activities within the Lagos State-owned institution.

As tensions rise, observers say the case could become a defining test of academic freedom, union rights and due process within Nigeria’s public universities.

SOURCE : SaharaReporters