Isiyaku Ahmed
The Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) has called on the management of Maryam Abacha American University (MAAUN) to immediately set up an independent investigative committee to probe allegations of attempted sexual harassment involving a lecturer and a female student reportedly under his academic supervision.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Advocacy and Communication Officer, Adam Auwal Dakata, CAJA expressed deep concern over the allegations, describing sexual harassment in tertiary institutions as a serious threat to students’ dignity, safety, and academic freedom.
CAJA noted that such incidents undermine confidence in educational institutions and create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that is incompatible with learning and personal development.
It, however, stressed that while allegations of sexual misconduct must be taken seriously, they should be investigated through a fair, impartial, and transparent process that protects the rights of all parties involved.
It urged the university to constitute a credible investigative committee comprising representatives of the management, academic staff, student body, legal practitioners where necessary, gender and safeguarding experts, as well as other persons of proven integrity.
According to CAJA, the committee should be mandated to conduct a thorough and timely investigation and make recommendations that would ensure justice is served in line with the university’s regulations and the law.
The group further called on the institution to guarantee the safety of the complainant, witnesses, and all parties involved by protecting them from intimidation, victimization, or retaliation throughout the investigative process.
It maintained that safeguarding those involved is essential to preserving the credibility of the investigation and sustaining public confidence in the institution.
Beyond the current allegations, CAJA urged MAAUN and other tertiary institutions across Kano State to strengthen and effectively implement comprehensive policies aimed at preventing and responding to sexual harassment.
CAJA said such policies should clearly define unacceptable conduct, provide accessible and confidential reporting channels, ensure fair investigative procedures, offer adequate support for survivors, protect complainants from retaliation, and prescribe appropriate sanctions where misconduct is established.
It also emphasized the need for the policies to be inclusive, periodically reviewed, and widely communicated to students, academic and non-academic staff, governing councils, and other stakeholders to ensure awareness of their rights, responsibilities, and reporting procedures.
CAJA appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm and allow due process to take its course while upholding the principles of accountability, transparency, and justice.
