Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede led Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has finally passed a verdict on Professor Richard Akindele who reportedly demanded sex from a female student of the institution in order to help her pass her exams in a leaked audio conversation.

Professor Richard Akindele

In statement signed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, he disclosed that: “Having regard to the gravity of the offence for which Professor Richard I. Akindele is found to be prima facie liable, the Vice-Chancellor, in line with the Code of Conduct for the University Community and acting under all the laws and regulations of the University enabling him in that regard, has directed that Professor Richard I. Akindele be suspended forthwith from the University, pending the final determination of the disciplinary case against him.”

Be that as it may, in the interim report submitted to Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Executive Director of the institution, Professor Richard I. Akindele, of the Department of Management and Accounting, is now established to be the lecturer in the controversial “marks for sex” audio recording. The female voice has also been identified as that of Miss Monica Osetobe OSAGIE, a Postgraduate Student on the Master of Business Administration Regular programme.

However, we gathered the Investigative Committee had invited both Professor Richard I. Akindele and Miss Osagie but only the former (Professor Akindele) had appeared before the Committee, while the latter (Miss Osagie) is yet to make an appearance. We also learnt that other witnesses appeared before the Committee and had given useful evidence.

Besides, the institution is making frantic efforts to ensure that the female student, Miss Osagie appears before the investigative committee to enable them hear her side of the case so that they can promptly submit their final report.