Old Students of Ebenezer Grammar School Abeokuta, (EGSA), Ogun State, yesterday, allayed fears of parents and other stakeholders of the school, over the arrest of alleged rapist, Lateef Olaniyan, who is a teacher in the school located in Iberekodo area of the state capital.
Olaniran, a Mathematics teacher of the secondary, was arrested by the police and officials of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, for allegedly raping two young girls within 24 hours.
The action of the alleged rapist, has caused concerns among stakeholders in and around the state on the safety of students of the school.
But, the National President of the school’s Old students Association (EGSOSA) Tajudeen Olori, while addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday, said the rape victims were not students of the school contrary to misinformation making the rounds on social media.
Olori, who frowned at Olaniran’s act, described the suspect as an absentee teacher whose erratic behavior had been previously reported to the state government through the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
He lamented that Olaniran’s act had put the school in bad light in the public eyes, adding that the alleged rape offence was not committed within the premises of the school.
Olori said, “It is unfortunate that Lateef Olaniran, is a teacher in our alma mater, but all his acts in this case of rape are personal and has nothing to do with the school. He committed those acts far away from school.
“There is no form of student harassment and intimidation in EGSA, neither was there any form of sexual abuse.
“We have always encouraged our students to be bold and speak up in the face of perceived attempt of harassment and or intimidation.
“We urge parents of the students in EGSA to remain calm and be rest assured of the safety of their children in the school and our hostel.
“EGSA of today is a school of high morals and educational standard and will continue to produce good leaders for our society and Nigeria at large.
“We will like to request immediate suspension of the Lateef Olaniran pending the conclusion of investigation.
“We also humbly request that Lateef Olaniran is not returned to EGSA at the conclusion of investigation and even trial. He cannot regain the confidence and cooperation of staff and student anymore.”
