OAU Launches Probe As Lecturer Assaults Student In Class

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has launched an investigation into a disturbing altercation between a male student and a lecturer on campus.

The incident unfolded when Gift, a 200-level student, mistakenly entered a lecture room where Dr. Ariyo was conducting a class. According to campus sources, Gift had mistaken this lecture for the one he was supposed to attend. Upon realizing his error, he promptly tried to leave the class, but the lecturer called him back, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a physical confrontation.

An anonymous student witness recounted the situation: “He thought the class was meant for him as well. When he saw that the faces in the class were strange, he quickly dashed out. The lecturer then called him back. After a while, we discovered that the lecturer invited the security personnel to take the student. He also dragged the student’s phone,”

Videos of the incident circulated online, showing Gift struggling with a security official and attempting to use his phone when the lecturer demanded he switch it off.

Read also: Peter Obi Condemns Assault on NLC President in Imo State.

“Don’t call anybody! Switch off that phone! You can’t be more than me, even if you’re the VC’s son, I won’t take this from you. Switch off the phone!,” Dr Ariyo was heard saying.

Subsequently, the lecturer threw a punch at Gift, leaving the students in disbelief.

Elijah Omisore, the spokesperson for the Students’ Union, strongly condemned the incident and called for the lecturer’s prosecution. He stated, “We are investigating the matter. The lecturer is planning to apologize, but we’re not taking any apology. We want the necessary prosecution.”

In a statement shared by Omisore, the Students’ Union provided further details of the incident, revealing, “Around 10 am, the union leadership got information that a lecturer, Dr Ariyo, was harassing Gift, a Part 2 student. Information has it that Gift mistakenly walked into the lecturer’s class trying to locate the venue for his lecture but learned that it was not his class and left immediately. Still, he was called back by Dr Ariyo, and an argument erupted, leading to a physical assault from the lecturer against the student.”

Read also: Joeboy Offers Financial Assistance To Unilag Students Amidst Steep Fee Hike.

“We demand an open hearing and a public apology from Dr Ariyo, to the generality of Great Ife students; That the lecturer and the entire department make a commitment that the victim and other students in the class won’t face any form of victimisation moving forward,” the statement added.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, also condemned the lecturer’s actions and confirmed that a probe into the matter had been initiated. He stated, “We’ve seen the video. The Vice-Chancellor is not happy about it. We are not known for such behavior, and we have decided to go administrative concerning this, and we will make our findings known. But for the meantime, we just want the students to remain calm. The VC has called the Dean of the faculty involved, who will get in touch with the Head of Department and get in touch with that lecturer.”

Follow us on Twitter for more news updates.