The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has set up a committee to investigate the allegation of sexual misconduct raised by a female student against a certain Professor Akindele.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede
According to the statement, “the university considers sexual harassment as a serious offence contrary to its code of conduct for the institution and against the anti-sexual harassment policy 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, and anyone found culpable would be dealt with decisively.”
The statement further said, “the attention of the authorities of the OAU has been drawn to an audio recording, now trending on social media of a telephone conversation between one Professor Akindele and a female student of the university. The recording suggests that the lecturer was demanding for sex in return for grades, 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 involved in this apparent breach of its regulations, 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. It is totally and morally reprehensible, and the university will never condone such act by any staff or student,” the statement added.
Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salaam advocated appropriate sanction against the don allegedly involved in the sex-for-marks scandal, if he is found culpable of the immoral act.
Salaam, who is an alumnus of OAU, said: “Actually, I have not done my investigations on it. But if it is to be true, that is very bad for our society. That is a citadel of learning, where people come to learn, not only about education but also morals and behaviours. If we have a professor that behaves in that manner, it is not good for our society. If he is found guilty after a proper probe into the incident, there must be a penalty for it.”
In the audio recording, a male voice was heard negotiating to sleep five times with the female student in exchange for a pass mark in a course she had failed. As it appeared that the condition given to her was unacceptable, the student called the lecturer’s bluff.