More facts have emerged why the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile Ife suspended Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele from the university forthwith.
The university in a statement issued and signed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, revealed that the university has received interim report of the investigative committee set up by the Senate of the institution and considered it’s recommendations.
The statement said that the committee in its report established the audio conversation in the Sex-For- Mark to be Professor Akindele.
The committee further established that the female voice in the audio conversation in the sex-for-mark to be that of Miss Monica Osetobe Osagie, a post graduate student on the Master of Business Administration Regular Programme.
The committee also established Prima Facie case of inappropriate relationship with the female student against Professor Akindele and Prima facie case of serious misconduct in the University, thereby liable in line with code of conduct of the school rules and regulations.
Though, the female student in question did not appear before the committee for the period for which it conducted it’s sitting, it was further gathered that other people have useful evidence before the committee.
The university said that based on the above facts, Professor Akindele would remained suspended pending the final determination of the disciplinary case against him.
The statement maintained that Professor Akindele’s suspension was based on the findings of the investigation committee that he is liable and must abide by the decision pending the final determination of the case by the Council of the university.
The statement read in part, “the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has received and considered the interim report of the Committee set up to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment revealed in a recent audio recording.
“In the interim report submitted to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, 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.
“Although the Investigative Committee had invited both Professor Richard I. Akindele and Miss Osagie, only Professor Akindele had appeared before the Committee, while Miss Osagie is yet to appear or make any representation. 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.
“The Committee observed that a prima facie case of inappropriate relationship with the female student had been established against Professor Richard I. Akindele. The Vice-Chancellor, having carefully and dispassionately considered the report, also came to the conclusion that a prima facie case of serious misconduct had been established.
“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.
“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.
