By SUNTV Global | February 2, 2026
The Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has suspended a former Head of Department, Mr. Fowowe Simeon Sunday, for another six months over a 2021 rape incident—despite his earlier exoneration by a university disciplinary panel and the conviction and imprisonment of the actual perpetrator.
SUNTV Global gathered that Mr. Fowowe, a former Head of the Department of Early Childhood Care and Education and a prominent member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in LASUED, was re-suspended following a fresh query issued by the university management in November 2025.
Sources within the institution describe the development as a targeted witch-hunt allegedly linked to internal union politics.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred on October 11, 2021, when a part-time lecturer, Mr. Kolawole Muyiwa, sexually assaulted a female student inside an office allocated to Mr. Fowowe at the College of Specialised and Professional Education.
SUNTV Global learnt that the office was shared with another staff member, while Kolawole Muyiwa—then a part-time lecturer—frequently used the space.
Importantly, multiple sources confirmed that Mr. Fowowe was not on campus on the day of the incident, having travelled for the burial of his late mother with official approval from the Vice-Chancellor.
Following investigations, Kolawole Muyiwa was arrested, prosecuted, and in February 2025, convicted by a Lagos High Court. He is currently serving a jail sentence.
Cleared, Yet Queried Again
In 2021, LASUED management had queried Mr. Fowowe for allegedly allowing his office to be used for the crime and suspended him for six months. A disciplinary panel was later constituted to probe his involvement and reportedly cleared him of any wrongdoing.
However, in a move that has now triggered controversy, the university issued another query dated November 13, 2025, signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa.
The query demanded that Mr. Fowowe explain why he should not face dismissal, citing the February 2025 court judgment that convicted Kolawole Muyiwa.
The letter accused him of leadership failure, stating that the crime occurring in his assigned office amounted to a breach of duty of care and security.
Mr. Fowowe was given 48 hours to respond to four charges, including whether he granted access to the assailant, what security measures he had in place, and his role before and after the incident. The letter warned that failure to respond would be taken as an admission of guilt.
Sources told SUNTV Global that shortly after submitting his response, Mr. Fowowe was placed on another six-month suspension over the same matter.
Allegations of Victimisation
Several academic staff members have condemned the renewed suspension, describing it as punitive, vindictive, and politically motivated.
“The university investigated this case years ago and cleared him. The offender is already in prison. Revisiting the same issue is clearly victimisation,” a senior academic staff member said.
Others described the action as double jeopardy, insisting that punishing an individual twice over the same allegation violates basic principles of fairness.
Multiple sources further alleged that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bidemi Balikis Lafiaji-Okuneye, is targeting outspoken ASUU members to weaken union opposition and influence leadership outcomes within the LASUED ASUU chapter.
“Because of ASUU politics and Comrade Fowowe’s visibility in union activities, management believes silencing him will help install a compliant union leadership,” a source claimed.
Growing Tension on Campus
Efforts by SUNTV Global to reach the Vice-Chancellor and the university’s Public Relations Unit for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The development has heightened concerns among staff about alleged abuse of disciplinary procedures, suppression of union activities, and shrinking academic freedom within the Lagos State-owned institution.
