VC speaks on alleged sex-for-mark scandal in OAU

The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede has reacted to the viral audio clip in which a lecturer of the university was

The lecturer, Prof Richard Akindele whose name was mentioned in the audio by the yet-to-be identified student lectures in Department of Accounting at the university.

Reacting to the scandal, the Vice-Chancellor in a statement he personally signed said the University has begun the process of identifying the characters involved in the viral audio clip.

The statement reads:

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 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 involved 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.

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Meanwhile, the Congress of University Academics has called for an investigation into the scandal.

The Chairman of the Congress Dr Niyi Sumonu, on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, urged the university to investigate the alleged sex-for mark scandal between the lecturer and the female student.

The Congress said that the lecturer involved in the alleged scandal if found guilty was not fit to be in an academic environment.