By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Chapter, has called on the management of Federal Government College, Warri, to investigate a male student’s alleged involvement in a sexual harassment case that led to the expulsion of a female student.
The organisation warned the school against allowing the alleged misconduct of the expelled student’s parents to distract from the sexual harassment allegation.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the state chairman, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Nosa Oveseey.
CDHR questioned the fairness of the school’s decision to expel the female student over her parents’ conduct without establishing whether the male student allegedly involved in the incident had committed any offence.
It maintained that if the school could sanction the female student over her parents’ actions, the male student whose alleged conduct triggered the controversy should also face a proper investigation and appropriate disciplinary measures if found culpable.
The group said selective justice could undermine confidence in the school’s disciplinary system.
It urged the college’s management board to immediately investigate the sexual harassment allegation, review the expulsion decision and ensure that due process was followed.
CDHR also called for stronger student protection policies and accessible reporting channels for students and parents.
While condemning the alleged conduct of the female student’s parents, the organisation acknowledged that parents could react emotionally when informed of distressing situations involving their children.
However, it said grievances should be addressed through established procedures rather than hostility or the circulation of misleading information.
The organisation further stressed that schools must prioritise students’ safety and welfare over institutional reputation, particularly amid growing concerns about sexual harassment, rape and defilement in educational institutions.
It was reported that Federal Government College, Warri, expelled a female student on Friday following a sexual harassment allegation involving a male student.
