Sex-for-mark lecturer, Richard Akindele, to face ICPC; may admit guilt

Reports have emerged that the disgraced Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) lecturer, Professor Richard Akindele, will appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on November 19, 2018.

The Commission will press charges against Professor Akindele at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, for allegedly demanding sex from one of his post graduate students, Monica Osagie, for enhanced mark.

Akindele will face a three-count charge of abuse of public office, breach of trust and exploitation in his capacity as a lecturer in order to be appeased with sex and offer of higher marks in a course that the student is supoised to have failed in 2007.

The offence, according to ICPC, is punishable under Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

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One of the counts reads, “That you, professor Akindele, on or about the 16th day of September, 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.”

Professor Akindele has reportedly begged through his lawyer, Omotayo Alade-Fawole, for plea-bargain having admitted guilt and also cited ill-health as a factor that might hinder him from withstanding the rigours of prison life.

Lending weight to the disposition of Akindele’s lawyer, Spokeswoman for the ICPC, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, said the suspect had pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, given the fact he was already suffering untold hardship having been sacked over the alleged offence by the university.

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