The Court of the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) which constitutes 33 members including the Chancellor of the University has exonerated and reinstated the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Dr Philip Kanu.ย The Court constituted under Section 11 of the 2021 University Act, is the highest administrative authority of the University.
The Chancellor and Head of the MMTU Court, Dr Victor Kabia reported that 29 members out of 33 who were present during the Court’s meeting unanimously voted for the submission of the report following its investigation of hate speech and tribal bigotry which found its way on social media. The MMTU Court reported that the audio of hate speech authored by Dr Kanu was โmanipulated.โ
Furthermore, the Chancellor said Dr Kanu was reinstated as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor by the University Court because he is a person of high academic and administrative distinction and of the rank of an Associate Professor with proven managerial skills and ability to mobilize and generate resources for the Technical University, as enshrined in the University Act of 2021.
Meanwhile, all administrative positions except the one held by Dr Kanu, will be declared vacant, as the Chancellor has instructed the Human Resources Office to advertise all the remaining positions which will be filled next year as the current holders may also be expected to reapply and be screened properly.
However, on the sexual harassment scandal involving some lecturers, the Chancellor revealed that two lecturers were found guilty, and the Court has resolved to expel them as their contracts will be terminated immediately
Meanwhile, only one person was not found guilty by the Court in the sexual harassment scandal but was found to be part of some organizing. He will receive a warning letter, according to the Chancellor; one female student at the center of the sexual scandal will be restricted for one academic year.
Dr Kabia said the independent report also found some lecturers guilty of conducting classes and exams for students in their private homes, as they flout the University regulations, holding two separate jobs at the expense of the University and the students.
In a brief statement shortly after the announcement of his reinstatement, Dr Kanu said he was ready to resume work with a clear heart without targeting anybody in retaliation. He apologized for the severe tension and discomfort that the audio has caused although the University Court reported that the message in the audio was doctored.
Elsewhere, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Alhaji Dr Mohamed A. Jalloh reported that MMTU became the first university across the country that reopened and resumed classes on October 15, as announced by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for the 2022/23 academic year.
He also announced that MMTU released sessional results in October, and has also conducted reference exams. He said lectures are in progress in all categories at the university, and matriculation of new students will be conducted on 15 December.
