I Am No Longer Safe In NIJ, Says Assaulted Student

A student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, Ms Anjola Ogunyemi, has said she is not returning to the school after being allegedly sexually assaulted by one of her lecturers, Tene John, as she no longer feels safe.

Ogunyemi said she feared that she would be victimised by other lecturers of the school for allegedly causing John to lose his job.

Thecomment.ng earlier reproted that Ogunyemi was allegedly assaulted by John on December 13, 2019, in his office, petitioned the school management to demand an investigation into the incident. Upon the receipt of the petition, the management of the NIJ set up a panel to probe the allegation.

READ ALSO: NIJ Sacks Lecturer Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

The school, in a statement by its Registrar, Dotun Adeniji, on Monday, announced John’s dismissal after the conclusion of the investigation.

The 22-year-old victim, who spoke with The Punch on Tuesday, stated that going back to the school would be like walking into a trap.

She said, “I was sent a message that the lecturer had been sacked and I think the school took the right decision, because I feel he has got what he deserves, but at this point, I am not going back to the NIJ. I am done with the school, because I was suspended for one year and coming back, I had to face a sexual assault, which investigation dragged too long before a decision was made.

“I feel that there is nothing left for me in the school; other lecturers, who are John’s friends, are obviously upset that I caused the loss of his job; so, if I go back to the school, it will be difficult for me to pass through the system.

“As far as I am concerned, I am no longer a student of the NIJ. I will wait and write the UTME again and get into a university where I can feel comfortable, safe and not feel that anyone is watching me.”

Ms Ogunyemi urged other students of the school, who had experienced sexual assault from lecturers, to speak up for the sake of their mental health, adding that she almost lost her mind when the incident happened.