Dr. Michael Arimanwa, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, has said the Management of the institution will not victimize the student, Ogechi Okoroafor, who claimed she graduated from the institution with the help of God and her private parts.
The student had said in a viral video that she graduated from the institution by the help of her private parts and God.
Speaking on the issue in his office on Tuesday while assessing his achievements for four years, Arimanwa assured that the student would not be victimized under his watch.
“The lady made the unfortunate video that circulated widely across the world because the video was watched by people nearly everywhere. I have received calls and comments from people almost everywhere on earth. So, I know that video had gone quite wide. It is an unfortunate thing,” he said.
Nekede Polytechnic rector stated that a committee has been set up on the matter, adding that, “we don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the committee because we will interact with her tomorrow from the notice I have seen.”
He added, “But I want you to know that we are not going to in any way victimize her under my watch but we will follow the rules, we will stand by the rule and due process.”
He further said the school had a mechanism to punish both staff and students who had erred in the past.
“Some people have been punished, some people (were) removed as Heads of Departments, some have gone through suspension, some people have been downgraded, and some people have been barred from promotion for some many reasons,” he said.
He added that the school has laws and policies that govern it and “those who go against such policies, whether exam malpractices, sexual harassment or any other infractions,” are duly punished, stating that “some have lost promotion; some have been sacked actually — we have sacked like two people — some have been demoted and a few students have been expelled as well for one thing or another. We have done them dispassionately and laid them to rest.”
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the student had boasted on social media that she graduated with the help of God and p–sy, but her lawyer argued that she meant popsy.
In the TikTok live video she made which later went viral, Sharon claimed she would have been unable to graduate without the use of her private part to sort her grades and project defense, while thanking God for giving her ‘hot pussy, which has helped her go far in academic.
But the management of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede did not find the claim funny and took steps to unveil the identity of the student and ascertain her claims.
Re: THE CASE OF OKOROAFOR OGECHI SHARON(THE GRADUATING STUDENT OF FED POLYNEK IN A VIRAL VIDEO)
We are solicitors to OKEREAFOR OGECHI SHARON( our Client under our Pro Bono (Free Legal Services) on whose behalf we write this memo to you.
We are aware that she will be facing the school disciplinary panel this morning and we wish to use this medium to express our confidence that the panel will carry out their duties in compliance with the principles of Fair hearing,Good conscience and Natural Justice devoid of harassment, intimidation and threats.
We have met and discussed with our Client and evidence before us shows that she has no intention to defame the character, standard and integrity of the institution. In her words what happened in the said viral video was a slip of tongue as a result of her uncontrollable ecstacy over her graduation.Her intended words were “God and Pupsy” (Not P*ssy) in appreciation of the almighty God and her Dad.It is clear therefore that she had no intention whatsoever to use such a “fowl word” in the said viral video to cajole or blackmail the institution as no lecturer or name of the institution was mentioned or referred in the said viral video.
Our lawyers are already on ground at the institution now to follow up the proceedings at the panel against any form of intimidation or harassment. The integrity and standard of the said institution is not in doubt especially since my Senior brother, Rev Dr Arimanwa took over as the Rector.
Indeed, Justice is for all parties.
Kindly accept the assurances of our warmest regards.
Barr Ikechukwu Nwaopara
Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
