The recent incident involving Dr. Babalola, an Associate Professor of Botany at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), who has been accused of r@ping a 20-year-old female undergraduate student in his office. We believe that such heinous acts should not go unpunished, and it is imperative that justice is served swiftly and decisively in this case.
Petition Ask:
We call upon the authorities and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to ensure justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future. Specifically, we ask for the following:
Thorough Investigation: We demand a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the allegations against Dr. Babalola. The investigation should be conducted promptly, and all evidence, including any admission made by the accused, should be meticulously examined.
Zero Tolerance Policy: We call upon the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and misconduct by faculty members or staff. This should include revisiting and strengthening their existing policies and procedures for addressing such incidents.
Student Support: We urge UNILAG to provide immediate and ongoing support to the survivor, ensuring her physical and psychological well-being throughout the legal process. This includes access to counseling services and legal assistance.
Legal Prosecution: We demand that Dr. Babalola is prosecuted to the full extent of the law if found guilty. There should be no impunity for those who commit such heinous crimes.
Accountability: We call for accountability within UNILAG’s administration. If it is found that any university officials were aware of previous misconduct by Dr. Babalola and failed to take action, they should be held accountable.
Awareness and Prevention: UNILAG should implement mandatory training and awareness programs for faculty, staff, and students on issues related to sexual harassment and consent to prevent future incidents.
To Whom It Should Be Directed:
This petition should be directed to the following individuals and organizations:
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police
The Lagos State Ministry of Education: Hon. Folashade Adefisayo
The Nigerian Ministry of Education: Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN
We believe that by taking these actions, we can send a strong message that sexual harassment and assault will not be tolerated within our educational institutions, and justice will be served for survivors. Together, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students at UNILAG and beyond.
