Sexual Harassment attracts 7 years – ICPC Warns Lecturers

Sexual harassment is punishable by seven years in prison, according to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Mr Clifford Oparaodu, Secretary to the Commission, issued the warning on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at a one-day sensitization programme on Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Education Institutions conducted at the ICPC’s headquarters.

Oparaodu also asked students at Nigerian educational institutions not to be scared to report cases of sexual harassment to the Commission.

One of the greatest issues militating the fight against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, he noted, was a lack of reporting from victims due to fear of stigmatisation or additional victimisation.

“It is pertinent to note that unlawful benefits are not always pecuniary, and it is disheartening that sexual gratification has become a form of “illegal tender” in many institutions,” he said.

“Sexual harassment is a form of corruption. Staff have been found to use their office to demand and receive sexual benefits from other staff and students in exchange for good grades or other favours.

“Ideally, official duties ought to be carried out with integrity, good conscience and diligence without the expectation of any unlawful benefit.

According to him, Section 2(f) of the ICPC Act specifies that “gratification” includes “any service or favour of any kind…” According to Section 8 of the ICPC Act, “any person who corruptly asks for, receives, or obtains any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person; is guilty of official corruption and is liable to seven years imprisonment.”

“Unfortunately, due to the fear of stigmatization or further victimization, many targets of such demands find themselves forced to succumb, in order to avoid dire consequences and denial of benefits to which they may ordinarily even be entitled,” he said.

Mr. Oparaodu went on to say that the culture of silence had allowed sexual harassment to grow, but that the ICPC was working tirelessly to change this culture through sensitization and adequate policy implementation.

He explained that the workshop’s goal was to teach students how to readily contact the ICPC, report cases of sexual harassment, and gather evidence to aid the commission’s investigations.

Mr Oparaodu added that the Commission had prepared two Model Policies for Basic Schools (Primary and Secondary Schools) and Tertiary Institutions while recounting some of the actions carried out by the ICPC to combat Sexual Harassment.

“At the close of the Project early this year, the Commission undertook to continue the vision by ensuring that the Model Policies are approved by the relevant authorities, widely circulated and publicized. It is in line with that undertaking that a series of workshops commenced after approval of the Policies by the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.

“A team was set up in the Commission called the Sexual Harassment and Abuse Response Team (SHART) to co-ordinate investigation, prosecution of cases and enlightenment activities on Sexual Harassment. vi. Several reports relating to Sexual Harassment have been received and investigated by the Commission and prosecution is being carried out in some notable and identified cases.”