St. Francis Xavier University Student and Football Player Charged with Sexually Assaulting Four Other Students
On April 14, 2023, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”) arrested Omogbolohan (Ola or Teddy) Jegede a student, and football player, of St. Francis Xavier University (“St. FX”) in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and charged him with four counts of sexual assault of another St. FX student.[1]
In March 2023, the RCMP received a complaint of sexual assault against Jegede and quickly thereafter three more. St. Francis Xavier University has stated that it had been conducting its own investigation since March of 2023.
It appears that this is not the first time the police or St. FX have received sexual abuse complaints about Jegede from other students at St. FX. Another complaint was made in the 2019/2020 academic year. This raises the question of what steps should St. FX have taken earlier to protect its students?
On April 14, 2023, University Vice-President, Elizabeth Yeo, release a statement to the St. FX university stating that in March of 2023, it had become aware of multiple complaints of sexual abuse against one perpetrator and takes these allegations seriously. In compliance with its “survivor-centered approach” it started to investigate these allegations but noted that if criminal charges are initiated St. FX’s investigation would cease. In response, Dr. Rachel Hurst, Professor and Coordinator, Women’s and Gender Studies of St. FX., asked why St. FX had expunged Jegede’s football profile from its website if it indeed was taking sexual violence on campus seriously.
St FX’s Controversial Historical Approach to Sexual Abuse on Campus
This is not the first time St. FX has dealt with sexual abuse on campus or controversy of how it has handled those complaints. In 2017, St. FX had two high profile cases of student-on-student sexual abuse.
On November 17, 2017, two male student football players allegedly sexual assaulted a female student at on campus residence party.[2] On the day the survivor testified in court St. FX’s students assembled an honour guard that flanked the steps of the court house. The two alleged perpetrators were subsequently acquitted.
In another instance, on November 17, 2017, a freshman student was allegedly sexually assaulted in residence by another student. In March of 2018, St. FX’s quasi-judicial body held the perpetrator responsible and instituted restrictions on him including suspending him from the 2018-2019 academic year. The alleged perpetrator was subsequently criminally charged. When the survivor returned to resume her studies for the 2018-2019 academic year –with no notice from St. FX— she found out that the perpetrator had resumed his studies on the basis he had the right to attend studies while quasi-judicial body’s decision was being appealed.[3] This was further compounded by the fact the appeal was stayed while the criminal process was engaged, a process that could take years to complete. Ultimately, the survivor felt unsafe and switched universities. The survivor felt that, she had been punished for coming forward.
St. FX’s handling of the November 17, 2017, incident garnered widespread criticism for striking the wrong balance and failing to a have a survivor focused approach.
Elaine Craig, a professor at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in Halifax, stated[4]:
“If a student has been charged with sexual assault and the university has determined through its process that he has violated another student’s sexual integrity, then he should be removed from campus,”
Nancy Forestell, a professor at St. FX of Women’s and Gender Studies and History, stated[5]:
“What the university has done in this instance is seemingly bend over backwards to protect the interests of the respondent and not that of the complainant”
Your Legal Options After Sexual or Institutional Abuse
At Wagners, we’ve met survivors of sexual or institutional abuse who find it extremely difficult to share their experiences, even with a lawyer. We have a team that is professional and compassionate so you can rely on their experience to explain your legal options and provide the assistance you need to fight for your fair compensation. Abuse survivors can trust us to use the information they share to ensure the person or institution responsible are brought to justice. We take the time to evaluate the specifics of your case and advise on the best legal option to help you receive the monetary compensation you need to recover from the abuse you endured.
File criminal charges: If you solely pursue his option, you will not get monetary compensation. Investigations will be done, and the accused will be arrested if sufficient evidence is found. If the defendant is found guilty, he or she could face punishment like imprisonment.
Civil lawsuit: In this case, we pursue the case on behalf of the survivor in civil court. If found at fault, the assailant will be required to pay monetary compensation, which would assist the survivor to recover from the abuse.
Class action lawsuit: It is also possible to file a class action lawsuit against an assailant who assaulted several people. The group of survivors can come together to collectively file a class action suit against the person or institution that was responsible for the assault or abuse.
Compensation
At Wagners, we firmly believe that no amount of compensation can eliminate the pain and suffering that your assailant caused, but there is so much good that comes from a successfully resolved institutional or sexual abuse claim. As a survivor, the monetary compensation you receive can assist you to recover from the abuse and cater to the medical costs involved. Holding the assailant accountable also restores your dignity and encourages other victims of sexual and institutional abuse to come out and seek justice as well.
The amount of compensation you deserve for your sexual or institutional abuse claim will depend on many factors. Some of these factors include:
How the abuse affected your ability to support yourself and make sufficient income
The type of medical treatment you need or you have sought due to the abuse
The personal or unique circumstances of your lawsuit
We know that sexual or institutional abuse is a terrible experience, and many victims usually have a heavy burden that they are likely to carry for a long time. For this reason, we offer reliable legal assistance that you need to get the monetary burden off your shoulders. Our main goal is to build a strong strategy and successfully fight for your rights.
Jegede Alleged Assault(s) Timeline
In 2019, Jegede was enrolled as student athlete at St. FX. His major was a Bachelor of Science and played on the Defense Line for the St. FX football team.[6] Jegede continued to be on the St. FX football team for at least the 2020-21 season.[7]
On March 15, 2023, the RCMP started to investigate Jegede after survivor came forward with a complaint of sexual assault occurring in September 2022, and subsequent harassment. Shortly, thereafter three other sexual assault survivors came forward.[8] The RCMP is continuing its investigation as it believes there are more survivors and has asked them to come forward.[9]
In March of 2023, St. FX started its own investigation since becoming aware of the complainants.[10]
On April 14, 2023, RCMP arrested Jegede and he was subsequently charged with four counts of sexual assault.[11]
In March or April, 2023, St. FX paused its investigation into the sexual assault complaints against Jegede.[12]
In March or April, 2023, Jegede was prohibited from being on campus indefinitely.[13]
On April 14, 2023, University Vice-President, Elizabeth Yeo, release a statement to the St. FX university stating that in March of 2023, it had become aware of multiple complaints of sexual abuse against one perpetrator and takes these allegations seriously. In compliance with its “survivor-centered approach” it started to investigate these allegations but noted that if criminal charges are initiated St. FX’s investigation would cease. In response, Dr. Rachel Hurst, Professor and Coordinator, Women’s and Gender Studies of St. FX. asked why St. FX had expunged Jegede’s football profile from its website if it indeed was taking sexual violence on campus seriously.
On April 15, 2023, a survivor posted on Facebook that in her first year at St. FX, Jegede had sexually harassed her and attempted to physically force her into a room in her academic year at St FX (2019/2020 academic year). The survivor subsequently complained to St. FX as well as to the police. A no contact order issued prohibiting Jegede from contacting the survivor. The survivor has stated that they felt that St. FX did not take her concerns seriously.
On June 14, 2023, Jegede is scheduled to attend court to plead to the criminal charges.[14]
Two Football Players Accused of Sexually Assaulting one Survivor in Residence Timeline
On November 17, 2017 a dorm party was held in a St. FX residence.[15] The survivor met another student-athlete at the party that she had previously known and later engaged in consensual sexual acts but not intercourse, the survivor had no intent to engage in intercourse. Subsequently, another man entered the room and the three performed sexual acts together, the survivor evidence was that theses acts were not consensual.[16] Subsequently the two men were criminally charged. On the day the survivor took the stand, various students and student-athlete formed an honour guard on the sidewalks leading to the courthouse.[17]
On November 27, 2019, the two perpetrators were acquitted of sexually assaulting the survivor.[18]
First Year Allegedly Assaulted by Senior in Residence Timeline
In November of 2017, a freshman at St. FX was sexually assaulted by senior student in residence.[19]
In January of 2018, the survivor in notified St. FX of the assault and it started its own investigation. [20]
In March of 2018, St. FX’s quasi-judicial panel found the perpetrator responsible and moved the perpetrator out of the survivor’s residence and restricted his use of the meal-hall to certain time. Additionally, he was suspended from the 2018-19 academic year. [21]
Subsequently, the perpetrator appealed the ruling of the quasi-judicial panel.[22]
The survivor then took her complaint to the RCMP, and the perpetrator was criminally charged with sexual assault in the Spring of 2018, and issued a no contact order.[23]
In the Fall of 2018, upon returning to school and with –no notice from St. FX— the survivor learned that St. FX’s original suspension of the perpetrator from attending 2018-19 academic year had been vitiated while under appeal and the appeal process had halted due to the criminal investigation.[24]
As the survivor did not feel safe at St. FX she withdrew and enrolled at a different university.[25]
The survivor feels like she has been punished for coming forward.
In October 2018, nearly hundred people attended a meeting in regards to St. FX’s failure to take a survivor focused approach to handling sexual violence on campus and its ongoing failures in handling these complaints.[26]
Academics, including a Professor Nancy Forestell of St. FX, have criticized St. FX’s handling of the matter. Noting that St. FX allowed the perpetrator to continue his academic studies well the criminal process continues, a process that can take years to complete.[27] This balance favors the perpetrators right as opposed to the survivors.
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/st-fx-student-faces-four-charges-of-sexual-assault-1.6811245
[2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-st-fx-football-players-acquitted-of-sexual-assault-1.5376264
[3] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[5] https://globalnews.ca/news/4537806/student-stfx-sexual-assault/
[6] https://ca.linkedin.com/in/teddy-jegede-a68839269; https://www.goxgo.ca/sports/fball/2019-20/players/jegedeola6otq; https://web.archive.org/web/20200115160247/https://www.goxgo.ca/sports/fball/2019-20/roster
[7] https://www.goxgo.ca/sports/fball/2020-21/players/olajegedevzej?view=career&pos=d
[8] https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2023/antigonish-county-district-rcmp-charge-man-sexual-assault; https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/st-fx-student-faces-four-charges-of-sexual-assault-1.6811245
[9] https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2023/antigonish-county-district-rcmp-charge-man-sexual-assault
[10] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/st-fx-student-faces-four-charges-of-sexual-assault-1.6811245
[11] https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2023/antigonish-county-district-rcmp-charge-man-sexual-assault
[12] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/st-fx-student-faces-four-charges-of-sexual-assault-1.6811245
[13] https://thesaxon.org/st-francis-xavier-university-student-charged-with-sexual-assault-in-ns/3962/
[14] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/st-fx-student-faces-four-charges-of-sexual-assault-1.6811245
[15] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-st-fx-football-players-acquitted-of-sexual-assault-1.5376264
[16] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-st-fx-football-players-acquitted-of-sexual-assault-1.5376264
[17] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-st-fx-football-players-acquitted-of-sexual-assault-1.5376264
[18] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/former-st-fx-football-players-acquitted-of-sexual-assault-1.5376264
[19] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[20] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[21] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[22] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[23] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[24] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[25] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620
[26] https://globalnews.ca/news/4537806/student-stfx-sexual-assault/
[27] https://globalnews.ca/news/4537806/student-stfx-sexual-assault/; https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alleged-rapist-st-fx-1.4854620