OAU identifies female student in sex-for-marks scandal

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has identified one Miss Monica Osagie as the female student involved in the sex-for-marks scandal currently rocking the school.

An audio conversation of one of the school lecturers, Professor Richard Akindele asking for five rounds of sex from a female student before she can pass his course, surfaced online last week.

A panel of inquiry was constituted by the school authority to investigate the matter and an interim report presented by the panel to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitoye Ogunbodede yesterday April 19th, identified the female student as Monica Osetobe Osagie who was studying for a Masters in Business Administration.

While speaking after receiving the report, Professor Ogunbodede said that Osagie was invited to testify but she refused

“The committee observed that a prima facie case of inappropriate relationship with the female student had been established against Professor Richard I. Akindele.  The report indicated that many other witnesses appeared before the committee and gave useful evidence. The university is making efforts to ensure that Miss Osagie appears before the investigative committee so that it can hear her side of the case and promptly submit its final report,’’ he said

Explaining why the accused lecturer had not been sacked, the Vice Chancellor said that the provisions of the relevant statute of the university must be followed.

“Under the provisions of the relevant statute of the university, an academic staff can only be dismissed from service or have his or her appointment terminated only when the matter on which consideration is being given has been investigated by a Joint Council and Senate Committee. Also the staff has appeared before the committee with his or her counsel, if so desired. This procedure is the minimum requirement of the law and regulations of the university. It should therefore be noted that the suspension of Professor Richard I. Akindele is on the basis of the findings of the Investigative Committee that he is prima facie liable. This decision will abide, pending the final determination of the case by the council of the University”, the vice chancellor said