Monica Osagie who exposed OAU sex-for-marks professor tells panel what happened | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
25th April 2018
The lady who exposed Obafemi Awolowo University sex-for-marks professor, Richard Akindele has finally explained to the OAU investigative panel on the matter what happened.
Monica Osagie was before the panel on Tuesday in company of her counsel, Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi who spoke on her behalf when briefing newsmen.
Dr Akinyode-Afolabi said that her client who was alleged victim in the sex-for-marks scandal at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, affirmed before an investigative panel that Prof. Richard Akindele deliberately failed her because she refused his sexual demand.
recalls that a leaked audio of the conversation between Akindele and a lady later identified by the OAU management as Miss Osagie became viral two weeks ago. In it, Akindele was recorded demanding sex five times in order to upgrade Osagie’s mark to a pass from 33.
The scandal thereafter led to the suspension of the Professor of Accounting and Management after the panel set up by the OAU management established a prima facie case against him.
The panel identified Osagie as a postgraduate student in the Masters of Business programme. Prior to appearing before the panel, the lady said she was not the one who released the audio to the public while noting the possibility of one of the two persons she informed about it leaking it. She noted that she had initially reported the incident but got no action taken by the management.
The panel, which held its session at the Pro-Chancellor’s Lodge on the campus, allowed only Osagie and her counsel into the venue.
Journalists, students and some members of the National Human Right Commission who came to witness the sitting were not allowed into the venue by security personnel of the institution who manned the entrance.
Akinyode-Afolabi, who spoke with newsmen after the closed door session which lasted for more than seven hours, said Osagie told the panel that she passed the course but was later failed by the don because of her refusal to sleep with him.
She said that Osagie narrated in details what transpired between her and the don, adding that lawyers present at the meeting were not allowed to make any contribution.
Akinyode-Afolabi, who is the Executive Director for Human Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, Abuja, stated that Osagie also informed the panel that she recorded the conversation between her and the professor as evidence.
She said Osagie also informed the panel that she reported the sexual harassment by the don to some lecturers in the university, adding that no action was taken by them.
Akinyode-Afolabi said some lawyers who represented the lecturers who Osagie claimed she reported the case to also appeared before the panel.
She said that Osagie also told the panel that she did not score 33 per cent as alleged but was failed so that she could bow to the sexual demand of the don.
Akinyode-Afolabi expressed her optimism that the outcome of the panel would serve as a lesson to other lecturers who also engage in such acts.
She, however, urged the panel to ensure that justice prevailed on the issue so as to maintain the integrity of the institution.
Akinyode-Afolabi, who did not allow Osagie to talk to newsmen, said her client would always be available to give evidence whenever she was called upon.
Members of the panel declined speaking with newsmen after the meeting.