The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said it is set for the trial of a former lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele, for allegedly demanding sex from a student, Monica Osagie.
Akindele, who will be arraigned on November 19 at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, has opted for plea bargain based on ill-health, which will not allow him to serve prison terms.
A statement yesterday by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, said: โProf. Akindele will be docked on a three-count charge, having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting to demand for sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course, which she supposedly failed in 2017.
โHis 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.
One of the counts reads,: โThat you, Professor Akindele, on or about September 16, 2017, at Ile-Ife did corruptly ask for sexual benefits for yourself from Ms. Monica Osagie on account of favour to be afterwards shown to her by you in the discharge of your official duties as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, to wit; altering her academic grades in the course with code MBA 632- Research Method from fail to pass; and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.โ
โThe 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain, having admitted guilt. He also 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.
โHe 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.
โIt can be recalled that in an interview granted a newspaper, Ms. Osagie had expressed a lack of confidence in the capacity of ICPC to give her a fair hearing.
โThis public announcement of Professor Akindeleโs impending arraignment is in fulfillment of the commissionโs promise to the public on September 7, 2018, to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.โ
