Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged a strong partnership with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to confront the growing issue of ‘sex-for-marks’ in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by FIDA Niger State Chapter, the ICPC State Coordinator, Mr. Kennedy Ebhotemey, emphasized the Commission’s readiness to combat academic corruption, particularly sexual exploitation of female students by lecturers. He described the practice as a serious form of gender-based violence and a violation of the integrity of the nation’s educational system.
Ebhotemey stated that ICPC is committed to using its legal powers to ensure that any lecturer found guilty of coercing female students for sexual favors in exchange for academic grades will face the full weight of the law. “We are deeply disturbed by reports that some lecturers deliberately fail female students who refuse their advances. This behavior is unacceptable and criminal,” he said.
Though he noted that no formal reports have yet been filed in Niger State, he stressed that the Commission would not wait for complaints before taking preventive and punitive action. “Even though I am new to the state, and we’ve not received formal complaints, we will not take any chances,” he added.
FIDA Niger State Chairperson, Barrister Bolanle Jibogun, bemoaned increasing instances of sexual harassment in institutions. She indicated that the visit was an extension of FIDA’s ongoing advocacy against gender-based violence as well as a move to solidify relations with anti-corruption agencies.
Jibogun appealed to ICPC to check the exploitation of female students and vulnerable individuals, adding that it was necessary to urgently restore dignity to Nigerian schools.
The two institutions pledged to work together in unveiling and prosecuting offenders, discouraging academic corruption, and protecting female students across the country.
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