Sexual harassment in tertiary institutions has been deemed a corrupt practice that can now result in offenders serving a lengthy seven-year prison sentence, according to Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, the Secretary of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
During a One Day Sensitization Workshop on Sexual Harassment in Abuja, Mr. Oparaodu issued a stern warning to potential offenders, emphasizing the ICPC’s stance on sexual harassment as a deplorable form of corruption. He stressed the importance of empowering victims to seek justice and be aware of their rights in such cases.
Expressing deep concern, he highlighted the alarming trend where sexual enjoyment has become a form of “illegal tender” within these institutions.
“Sexual harassment is unequivocally a form of corruption,” he stated. “It constitutes a departure from ethical norms when an individual abuses their position to demand, receive, or seek sexual gratification in exchange for performing their duties.
“An individual’s official responsibilities should be executed with integrity, conscientiousness, and earnestness, devoid of any expectation of unlawful benefits,” he added.
