The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign a former lecturer of the Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele, at the
Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State.
Akindele was accused of demanding sex from one of
his students, Ms. Monica Osagie, in order to upgrade her academic result.
In a statement by the spokesman of the commission,
Rasheedat Okoduwa, on Wednesday, Professor Akindele will be docked on November 19, 2018, on a
three-count charge having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in
the Department of Management and Accounting to demand sexual benefit from a
student and fraudulently upgraded her result in Research Method course which
she supposedly failed in 2017.
The commission stated 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.
One of the counts read: “That 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, thereby committed an offence contrary
to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Act 2000.”
The 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.
Akindele 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.
Osagie had earlier expressed a lack of confidence
in the capacity of ICPC to give her a fair hearing.
According to the commission, the public announcement
of the professors impending arraignment is in fulfillment of its promise to the
public to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.
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