Prof. Richard Akindele, a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, who was allegedly heard in an audio recording which has now gone viral demanding for sex to pass a student has gone into hiding.
The audio recording of the lecturer seeking to have sex with a student five times in exchange for mark was released on April 9 and has been trending since then.
Prof. Akindele, who is also a priest in the Anglican Church has since deleted his Facebook account, it was gathered.
All efforts to reach him via his personal telephone number have been abortive.
The male voice in the audio recording demanding sex to pass a female student has also been identified by members of Akindele’s Church while speaking with journalists on the issue.
It was also gathered from investigations that the lady who spoke with him is a final year student, who had failed a course taught by the lecturer.
The lecturer, who is yet to react to the issue had also been unavailable at his office since the release of the audio recording.
…devil is at work to soil my husband’s name – Wife
The wife of OAU lecturer, Prof. Richard Akindele, who is currently enmeshed in a sex-for-marks scandal, has denied the allegations against him, saying the devil is out to tarnish her husband’s reputation.
In a chat with some of Akindele’s church members who expressed shock at the development. One of them said they went to the professor’s house immediately the news broke on social media and met his wife who blamed the devil.
”When we heard the news, some of us were surprised. We were at his house very early this (Tuesday) morning but only met his wife who said the devil is at work to soil the name of her husband.” he told Premium Times.
A cleric in the church who simply identified himself as Reverend Adeola said: “Although, the voice I heard is that of Reverend Akindele, I doubt he can do that. I’m not in best position to speak. But what I can say for free is that I know him to be a man of God, generous and easy going.”
Another church member said there will be no need for a computer test on the leaked audio as the voice is definitely that of the professor.
”There is no need for any computer to test the voice. The voice in the leaked audio is exactly that of Reverend Richard Akindele. However, the man is too gentle for such act. The lady purposely set him up.” he said
”The devil is at work to soil my husband’s name” wife of OAU lecturer in sex-for-marks scandal says.
…anyone found culpable will be dealt with – VC
The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Eyitope Ogunbodede, has promised that decisive action would be taken against those found culpable in the sex-for-marks scandal rocking the school.
The issue has been trending, especially on social media, since Monday when the news broke.
In a statement signed on Wednesday, the Vice Chancellor said a breach of regulations of the university’s code of conduct is responsible for the scandal.
He added that the university had begun the process of identifying the persons involved.
“The attention of the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has been drawn to an audio recording, now trending on the social media, of a telephone conversation ostensibly between one Professor Akindele and a female student of the university,” the statement read.
“The recording suggests that the lecturer was demanding sex in return for grade, which clearly amounts to sexually harassing the lady.
“Since the matter came to our notice, the University has begun the process of identifying the characters involves in this apparent breach of its regulations, the Code of Conduct for the University Community and the Anti-sexual Harassment policy, in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and procedures of the University.
“To this end, the university has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the allegation and submit its report within one week. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with decisively.
“I wish to assure the general public that Obafemi Awolowo University has zero tolerance for sexual harassment. The University considers sexual harassment as a serious offence contrary to its Code of Conduct for the University community and against the Anti-sexual harassment policy of the university. It is totally and morally reprehensible, and the university will never condone such act by any staff or student.
“Once again, I wish to reiterate that no one found culpable of this serious misconduct of sexual harassment will go unpunished.”
Man fails to show up for his wedding at Ikoyi registry, switches off phones
A man identified as Babatunde Jubril failed to show up for his court marriage at Ikoyi registry on Wednesday.
The bride’s parents and the parents of the groom were said to have arrived the registry and were left waiting for hours as Jubril failed to show up at the venue according to a social media user who shared the story on Twitter.
Attempts by friends and relatives to reach the groom on his mobile phones proved abortive as his two phones were already switched off.
Guests and both parents ended up being disappointed and had to vacate the registry after they could not connect the groom.
