Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede on Thursday confirmed the suspension of Professor Richard Akindele over the case of sex for mark scandal involving him (Akindele) and one of the students of the university, Miss Monica Osetobe Osagie, a postgraduate student on Master of Business Administration.
According to Dailytrust, the Vice Chancellor in a telephone conversation said the suspension followed the submission of preliminary report which affirmed that Prof. Akindele was indeed the person speaking in the viral audio tape. According to him
"In the interim report, 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."
"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, and 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, and this decision will abide, pending the final determination of the case by the Council of the University.
"We will like to reiterate that OAU will continue to do everything legally and morally acceptable in pursuance of its avowed commitment to zero tolerance for sexual harassment, intimidation and, or coercion", he added.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor has revealed the identity of the female student in the tape. According to him;
“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.
“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".
