AAU Students Debunk Allegations Levied Against Dr. Austin Thomas Aghemelo

By Simeon OSAJIE

Students of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma has debunk an online publication where Dr. Austin Thomas Aghemelo is accused of extortion/sexual harassment of female students in the institution.

In a press statement issued and signed by Tony Omokaso, Pamela Abu, Uka Henry, Abraham Isibor, Okojie Shepherd and Okosun G.F for and on behalf of all students of the Department of Political Science Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma stated that the publication is scandalous, malicious and viciously satanic.

“We, bona fide students of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, do hereby debunk the allegation of extortion/sexual harassment recently published in an online platform, Tojan.com. We state without equivocation that the publication by faceless and nameless authors, is scandalous, malicious and viciously satanic. It did not and could not have emanated from students of our dynamic Department of Political Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“We wish to also declare further that the said atrocious allegation cannot be about the sterling Dr. Austin Aghemelo, Dr. Austin Aghemelo is one of the most revered and highly distinguished teacher and mentor in the University, For the avoidance of doubt he is widely and roundly reputed by students of our Department for the following: He is a committed and dedicated lecturer in the Department of Political Science.”

Going further, the statement added, “He is strict and Disciplined He comes to class as scheduled and also add extra periods to cover his classes He is courageous and firm in implementing University regulations and decisions He is strict in the conduct of examination hence he has presumed haters by students or any student that participate in examination malpractices because he does not allow or give room for examination malpractice and cheating during examination.

“He has exceptional integrity He respects women both married and unmarried students in the Department.

“Dr. Austin Thomas Aghemelo is one of the first lecturers to submit and publish his results at the end of every examination in the Department. Dr. Austin Aghemelo as a Head of Department from 2016/2017 – 2018/2019 ensured that backlog of graduating students results for regular and part-time students were computed and released for NYSC mobilization.

“Dr. Austin Aghemelo is always mentoring us on the need to be committed to our studies and to be law abiding citizens.

“Dr. Austin Aghemelo as Ag. HOD is disciplined to the letter and has brought sanity to the department of Political Science.

“Dr. Austin Aghemelo as we know has been giving task of high responsibilities by every successive administration and he has always delivered on the position meritoriously. Many of us as his students aspire to be like him, therefore Dr. Austin’s weakness or weak point can NEVER be sexual harassment, extortion of students or alteration of marks. Those fabricated allegations are imaginary product of a suspected postgraduate student who failed woefully in her Ph.D comprehensive examination, and wanted Dr Austin Aghemelo as the then HOD to alter her score to pass grades. Same allegation was reported to the school authority and after a thorough investigation by the school authority Dr. Austin Aghemelo was exonerated.

“We therefore challenge the faceless writers of these fabricated and satanic allegations to be courageous enough to use their real names and stop masquerading as students of the Department of Political Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. We want to state clearly that the unfounded and highly libelous publication did not emanate from students of our Department.”