The University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) has changed its position regarding a viral video that reportedly depicted a university lecturer engaging in inappropriate behaviour towards a female student.
In a statement released on the Vice Chancellor’s LinkedIn page, the university management has announced the formation of a five-person committee after an emergency meeting to investigate the incident. The committee has a strict deadline of five days to finish its investigation and provide a report to the management.
A video that surfaced on social media on Tuesday, April 22nd, showed a man, believed to be a lecturer from Uniport’s Department of Engineering, engaging in inappropriate behaviour towards a young woman.
The Vice Chancellor’s statement confirmed the video’s authenticity, providing details about the individuals involved. According to the statement, the perpetrator is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, while the victim remains unidentified. Nevertheless, the identity of the lecturer remains a mystery.
Uniport initially responded to the video by denying its validity. The allegations were quickly dismissed by Sam Kpenu, a spokesperson for the university. According to Kpenu, there have been no reports of harassment, and a comprehensive investigation has confirmed that the incident did not take place on campus or involve any university personnel.
During a subsequent interview with BBC, Kpenu provided further clarification, stating that the initial denial was due to the absence of any formal reports at that particular moment. However, after a management meeting on Tuesday, a formal report was received, which led to the initiation of the investigation.
The recent change in direction taken by Uniport serves as a clear example of how social media can play a significant role in bringing potential misconduct to light. It also emphasises the need for a prompt and comprehensive investigation process when it comes to addressing allegations of sexual harassment.
