RICHARD Akindele, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Professor that was dismissed for demanding five rounds of sex from a female student, says the student, Monica Osagie, was the first to ask for sex, and had sent him dirty messages, including her nude pictures, via Whatsapp.

According to the response to the query issued to him by the OAU investigative panel, which was seen by the New Telegraph newspaper, Akindele explained that the five rounds of sex he demanded from Osagie, as contained in the audio conversation that was leaked on the social media, was a deliberate attempt to discourage the student and at the same time invite her to his office to obtain evidence.

Akindele also submitted screenshots of whatsapp conversations between himself and Osagie, including nude pictures which she allegedly sent to him.

Also, Akindele narrated an incident that took place in November 2017, when Osagie came to his office in the company of some of her colleagues to beg him to upgrade their scores in an exam that they failed.

“I informed them that it was not possible because the result has been submitted and approved by the department,” Akindele was quoted as stating.

“They left my office, but the lady returned alone to my office some few minutes after they had left begging me to upgrade her to an “A.”

“She confessed that she did not fail the course, but that she had two other courses in the Department that she failed (not any of which that I am involved) but that she would need an “A” in my own course to boost her CGPA to get to an average of 50 to enable her obtain an MBA Degree.

“I promptly turned down her request. She knelt down and held my legs pretending to be begging me, but was actually romancing me.

“I shouted at her to stop her madness, but she immediately stood up, raised her gown up to cover her face and I noticed she was not wearing any pant.

“I was afraid she could shout to attract other people and it may be difficult for me to defend myself of sexual assault.

“So I had to gently tell her to calm down and that we will do it five times on another day and place to which she agreed and gently left my office.

“I had to do that to save myself from any possible accusation of sexual assault which may be difficult to prove if she had shouted on that day.”

Explaining what actually happened on the day Osagie recorded the phone conversation between them, Akindele said he had noticed that he was being trailed as he was driving out of the University, so when Osagie’s call entered, he picked it and played along out of fear.

“As I was driving out of the university, I noticed two vehicles following me… I was somehow scared and wondered what the occupants in the cars were up to.

“While still wondering, my phone rang and it was the lady in question calling, but I did not pick. When the phone rang the third time, I picked and sensing danger with cars behind me, I decided to play along with her request.”

The New Telegraph reports that when it contacted Eyitope Ogunbodede, Vice Chancellor of OAU, he confirmed that Akindele actually filed the response but it was enough to exonerate him from the allegations.

“Prof. Akindele provided information that Ms. Osagie sent him nude pictures, but the panel did not consider that as sufficient justification for his actions and inaction,” Ogunbodede was quoted as saying.

“Lecturers are supposed to act ‘in loco parentis’ for students. Even though Prof. Akindele provided the nude pictures, the right thing for him to do would have been to report her to appropriate authorities. And even as a stronger partner, Prof. Akindele had every right to discipline the student.”

Also, according to the New Telegraph report, the case has been referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the agency had invited both Akindele and Osagie for questioning.

However, an ICPC source told the ICIR that the Commission had investigated the sex-for-marks case long before it became public knowledge.

The source, who pleaded to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the ICPC has already filed charges of abuse of office against Akindele in a court in Abuja.

Akindele, according to the source, had admitted, during interrogation, that he had an affair with the girl.