OAU sex-for-marks professor finally faces court prosecution | EduCeleb
Ahmed Iyanda
18th November 2018
A former professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Richard Akindele embroiled in a sex-for-marks scandal will on Monday, 19th November, 2018 finally face prosecution.
This is as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has concluded plans to arraign him at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.
EduCeleb.com recalls that Professor Akindele was sacked by his university management for allegedly demanding sex from a student, Monica Osagie following public outcry and investigation into the scandal.
A phone conversation between him and Ms Osagie leaked to the public had him demanding sexual gratification from the lady, an allegation he later got penalised for by his university with a dismissal.
In that audio, he was heard specifically demanding sex from the lady for five times before he could upgrade her score from 33 to a pass.
He initially got suspended indefinitely on 19th April, 2018 after an investigative panel established a prima facie case against him relating to the leaked phone conversation. His dismissal came about a month later through the university’s governing council based on the panel’s recommendation.
The ICPC said its decision to publicise Akindele’s impending arraignment is in fulfillment of the commission’s promise to the public in a rejoinder to a publication on 7th September, 2018, to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that the dismissed lecturer would be arraigned on Monday on a three-count charge.
According to the ICPC, Mr Akindele is accused of using his position as to demand sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course which she supposedly failed in 2017.
The commission said that his actions were contrary to Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under the same sections.
Meanwhile, EduCeleb.com learnt that the 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain having admitted guilt.
He cited ill-health as a factor that may make him unable to stand the rigours of prison life, notifying the Commission through his lawyer, Omotayo Alade-Fawole.
He pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, more so as he was already serving punishment for his offence having been sacked by the university.