See Queens College’s Reaction to Alleged Sexual Harassment Report

A mum recently called out the management of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos for trying to sweep her daughter’s sexual harassment in the hands of a teacher identified as Mr. Olaseni Oshifala, under the carpet (read here). The mum, who has now been identified as Chinenye Okoye, had alleged that the teacher is quite notorious for making sexual advances at students and had forcefully tried to kiss and touch the private parts of her daughter, a JSS 2 pupil.

The school has now reacted to the allegations. According to PremiumTimes, the principal of the school, Mrs. Lami Amodu, issued a statement claiming the allegations were an attempt to ridicule, not just Mr Olaseni, but the “hard-earned reputation” of Queens College.

She said,

“When I resumed work as principal here, I was told of a certain matron who housed a person that had attempted to have an affair with a student.

I was not here when it happened but as soon as I was told, I made sure that the matron was moved out of the school premises. I have zero tolerance for such behaviour. I have a daughter who schools here, even before I began work here. I will not take chances.

As I talk to you, no single parent has come to me or any of my Vice-Principals to report Olaseni as a molester. I assure you that if the allegation was true, other parents would have been buzzing our lines non-stop. Children spread gossip fast. They would tell their parents or relations, if anyone was molesting them here. No parent would take such news lightly.

When this news reached me, I summoned an emergency meeting of all the critical stakeholders. We all discussed before inviting Mr Osifala. Every one of my staff says positive things about the man. Of course they were all here (Queens College) before me, so they are qualified to assess members of staff properly.

Let us not forget that Olaseni worked with five different principals, all of who also told me good words about him, despite the various allegations against him. I have investigated and we are not relenting in our determination to get to the bottom of this case. The man in question has been of impeccable character and committed service since I resumed work here. I can vouch for him.

When I resumed work here, I was told a few unsavoury things about him. But investigations showed that each time a new principal resumed at Queens College, these allegations popped up. They would tell every new principal that Mr Olaseni is a molester. But after investigations, nothing concrete came up. My predecessor, whom we just sent forth today, told me the same thing. So it has been a recurring decimal, these allegations.”

Describing him as ‘the best teacher in our school’, she continued,

“During World Teachers’ Day, he bagged five awards. The students all have good things to say about him. Somebody somewhere is up to some mischief and we will uncover this unfortunate drama. We place a premium on the security and welfare of our girls. We are all mothers. We will not allow any staff to endanger girls in this school.”

The Chairperson of the school’s Parents-Teachers Association, B.E Akhetuamen, also said the claims were an attempt to pull down Mr. Oshifala.

“I have two daughters schooling here. After six years in the school, I should be able to trust them to intimate me about things that happen in the school, especially when I ask. They have made it clear to me, no such thing occurred. Meanwhile, no parent has called me to make any such allegation against the teacher in question and I find it very strange…

When I asked my daughter about this story, she said she only started hearing about it today. I am an Edo woman, I speak from my heart because I fear only God. Even if I face anybody now, I can defend him (Olaseni) authoritatively. I have always recommended him to every principal that was posted here.”

On claims that Mr. Oshifala assaulted the student near the boarding house, D. A Oludinmu, the Senior Boarding House Mistress at the school, admitted Mr. Osifala comes around the hostel because he is the Hostel Maintenance Officer. She added,

“But there is a procedure for that. He never comes without the permission of the principal and even during emergencies, he does not come alone. The principal still has to permit him, and he always comes with the maintenance boys. Mr Olaseni does not come to the hostel outside working hours. I can vouch for him.”

The school’s head girl also said no male staff lives within the school compound.

“They also said they saw our teacher with alcohol after lights out. This cannot be true because he speaks against alcohol in class. He is our Biology teacher, not Integrated Science. Knowing him from J.S.S 1 to S.S. 3 now, I can say that the allegations are wrong. No, I just heard the story this morning. My statement cannot be doctored.

Yes, we complain to him when we have problems in the hostel. These problems include bad electric bulbs, water problems, etc.”

Mr. Osifala himself has also said there’s no iota of truth in the allegations, adding that, “I know that whatever I say now will not matter to those who made up their minds to judge me. Let God take control.”

What do you think?