Minister of women affairs apologises for threatening Unical sexual harassment victims

• The minister expressed regrets over the comment credited to her in the viral recordings concerning the sexual harassment scandal
• Kennedy-Ohanenye in the recordings threatened the victims to withdraw their allegations against the Ndifon

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has admitted to threatening victims of sexual harassment at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in Cross River.

The tertiary institution has been embroiled in sexual scandal involving one Prof. Cyril Ndifon, Dean of the Faculty of Law and in recent time.

However, some recordings of calls between the minister and some students of the school, who levelled accusation of sexual harassment against the lecturer, were leaked on Sunday.

Kennedy-Ohanenye in the recordings ‘aggressively manipulating’ the victims to withdraw their allegations against the Ndifon.

Kennedy-Ohanenye has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times, couple of weeks back, she publicly clamoured for child labour, saying it would hasten urbanization.

However, her latest sojourn into the abyss of ignominy has sparked widespread outrage and backlash, with many calling for her resignation.

Reaction to the development, the minister expressed regrets over the comment credited to her in the viral recordings concerning the sexual harassment scandal

Kennedy-Ohanenye, in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, said she was commitment to justice, safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian women, including the pursuit of justice whenever their rights were violated.

She underscored her unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness were the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies were built.

“I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar.

“This is extremely regrettable, as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.

“I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning,” she said.