Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife, Osun State, has commenced a probe into the allegation that one of its lecturers, Professor Richard Akindele, demanded sex from a student to increase her grade.
The lecturer is said to be of the Department of Accounting
The allegation is contained in an audio recording which has gone viral on the social media.
Reacting on the allegation, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, in a statement he signed, disclosed that a committee had been set up to investigate the case.
The committee, according to him, had been given one week to submit its report.
He assured that anyone found culpable of the offence would be severely dealt with as the institution had zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
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.
READ ALSO: Wife of monarch commits suicide
“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 Universit, OAU, 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.”