Prof Francis Otunta, the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State has been cleared of a sexual harassment allegation levelled against him by a female staff of the institution identified as Dr Patricia Mbah.
Dr Patricia Mbah was accused of launching a vendetta against the institution’s VC after being disciplined according to the University’s rules over an alleged misconduct.
A statement released by the Institution’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs Jacinta N. Ogwo-Agu read in parts;
“At no time or place did harass physically or sexually the said Dr Mbah as he has no need to do so.
“Dr Mbah alongside more than 100 other staff were properly placed from her previous unmerited position in line with the approval given by the Council at its 21st emergency Meeting held from Monday, May 13 to Thursday May 16, 2019.
“Dr Mbah’s salary was suspended after she travelled abroad and absconded from her duties without due authorization. In line with the rules of the University, her immediate superiors reported her absence from duty.
“The action of the Governing Council was informed by a deluge of petitions against the arbitrary and skewed promotions and appointments carried out by the last administration without regard to extant laws governing same which the Federal Ministry of Education directed the Governing Council to handle as infractions committed by the Hilary Edeoga administration.
“Except Dr Mbah is no longer a staff of the University, she must subject herself to the extant rules governing her employment including promotions and discipline.
“Prof Otunta is ever ready to defend his innocence before any lawful and properly constituted body that either the Governing Council of the University or Federal Ministry of Education and our own Ministry of Agriculture may deem fit to set up to investigate the unfounded foundation”.
