A polytechnic in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, has suspended its professor for alleged sexual harassment of a student.
The school, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, said the professor, Tamunotonye Solomon, has been suspended for three months, according to a report from the Punch newspaper.
The newspaper reported that the professor had exchanged media words with level 200 student Blessing Audu about the sexual harassment allegation.
Ms Audu claimed that the professor accused her of stealing his 250,000 naira after she rejected his marriage proposal. The professor said the accusation was blackmail and that he arrested the student because she stole his money and some property from the office, Punch reported.
The management of the polytechnic in a statement from its registrar, Chris Woke, dissociated the school from the alleged conduct of its teacher.
“The management of the Capitan Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, is upset by the report in a certain section of the media and completely disassociates itself from the alleged conduct of its staff, Mr. Tamunotonye Zoe Solomon.
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“Therefore, the management of the Capitan Elechi Amadi Rumuola Port Harcourt Polytechnic has suspended Mr. Tamunotonye Zoe Solomon for three months as of January 10, 2022, in connection with the allegations of harassment and exploitation of a student and other acts of misconduct to the detriment of the good name of the Polytechnic ”, says the statement.
The polytechnic said it has created a committee to investigate the accusations against the professor.
“The Committee has one month to present its report to Management,” the statement said.
The 35-year-old polytechnic is owned by the Rivers State Government.