OAU: Court Remands 'Sex-For-Marks' Lecturer In Ilesha Prison, Adjourns Case

Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele, the former lecturer with Obafemi Awolowo University, accused by her student, Monica Osagie, of demanding sex to pass her has been remanded in prison custody.

Akindele was arraigned on Monday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission before Justice Maureen Onyetenu of a Federal High Court, Osogbo, on four counts bordering on alteration of age and demanding sex to pass his student.

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo remanded Akindele in prison custody.

Dressed in all-white attire, Akindele, pleaded not guilty to all the four counts pressed against him.


The charge reads: “That on 16th day of September, 2017 or thereabout, you corruptly asked for sexual benefits for yourself from one Monica Osagie for a favour that would be thereafter shown to her by upgrading her academic record from fail to pass, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8 (1)a and 2 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act 2000.

“That you solicited sexual benefits from the victim on 16th of September, 2017 or thereabout for a favour to be given to you, the act contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (b) of the ICPC Act.

“That you deliberately concealed evidence, with the intent to remove parts of the conversation between you and the victim, contrary to Section 15 (1) and (2) of the ICPC Act.

“That you falsified your age by saying, under interrogation, that you were born on April 19, 1961, while in your personal file retrieved from OAU, you claimed you were born on April 19, 1959, an act contrary to and punishable under Section 25 of ICPC Acts, 2000.”

Addressing the court, the senior legal officer, ICPC, Kehinde Adetoye, said the prosecution was ready for definite hearing of the matter.

Defense counsel, Francis Omotoso, who appeared with two other lawyers, however, observed that the name of the counsel that signed the charge sheet of the case was not marked.

He said three names were listed, but the one that signed the charge sheet among the three was not marked.

Responding to the observation, Adetoye explained that Ebenezer Adenekan, the lead counsel for the ICPC, signed for other counsel involved in the matter.

Asked by the court if ready for definite hearing of the matter, the defense counsel, after initially declaring readiness for hearing, pleaded for more time to study the charge sheet.

He said the prosecution only served him 30 minutes before the sitting commenced.

Reacting to the claim, prosecution counsel, Ayantoye, said that for weeks, he made efforts to reach the defendant and serve him, adding that Akindele could not be reached through his mobile line.

Although the defense counsel made oral application for bail for the defendant, Justice Onyetenu insisted on an affidavit.

She subsequently adjourned the matter to Tuesday, November 27, 2018 for definite hearing and remanded Akindele in prison custody.


Credit: Punch Newspaper

What We Know So Far About The Attempted Bank Robbery At Lagere

By Uthman Samad

It was an unusual and tense atmosphere earlier today at the surbub area of the ancient town of Ile Ife - Lagere, as suspected armed robbers shot sporadically into the air, in what seems to be an attempt to rob banks in the area. Afterwards, the intervention of the Nigerian police force, Ile-Ife command foiled the attempt, the Police claims.

In a phone convrvsation with OAU Peeps News Agency, Funsho Adegboye, the Ife Area Commander said it was just an attempted robbery.

"There was no attack, it was an attempted robbery based on the information we got from the members of the public which is highly commendable," the Area Commander told us.



"As we got the information, we alerted our officers, we deployed them and we are able to pursue them. On sighting the Police, there was an open fire, in which one of the robbers sustained injury. We are able to dislodge them and we impounded the Toyota Sienna vehicle they brought," he added.

Laying to rest the insinuation that some banks in the area were attacked, a staff of Fidelity Bank who does not want his name in the print because he was not authorised to speak on the development said the bank was not attacked.

Reiterating this, the Ife Area commander confirmed no bank was attacked. He said "the quick intervention of the Police and quick reinforcement of the commissioner of police from Osogbo prevented what could have been a robbery attack. You know banks are concentrated in one area, so they were caught met with resistenace between Diamond and Fidelity banks."



The Police claimed that one of the suspected robbers sustained injury during the gunshot exchange.

The commander also noted that no casualty was recorded as no police officer was either injured or shot.

OAU Peeps also understands through investigation that the suspected robbers earlier lauched an attack around Damico Area, close to campus gate, of which the commander confirmed.

Accounts from eye witnesses who spoke with OAU Peeps confirmed there were gunshots and the suspected robbers later escaped through the Akarabata area of Modakeke town.

World Bank Selects OAU, 15 Other Nigerian Universities As African Centre of Excellence

World Bank has selected sixteen (16) Nigerian universities as African Centre of Excellence.

The Centres include ACE in ICT Driven Knowledge Park, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Others are: Centre for Oilfield Chemicals Research (CEFOR), University of Port-Harcourt; ACE for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede; and ACE on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

ACE in Reproductive Health and Innovation went to University of Benin; Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano; and Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, Makurdi.


ACE in Applied Informatics and Communication was given to Covenant University, Ota; Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research (PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt; ACE for Sustainable Power and Energy Development, University of Nigeria Nsukka.

ACE on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) was given to National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); and ACE in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

The rest are: ACE on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education (ACENPEE), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; ACE for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDRHMDRS), University of Lagos.

ACE for Mycotoxin and Food Safety was given to Federal University of Technology, Minna;and Center for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), Bayero University, Kano.

NAN also reports the 12 countries participating in the ACE impact project are Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal , Niger, Djibouti, Guinea, Togo and Gambia.

Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact), also known as ACE 3, resulted from the gains and successes recorded with ACE-1 and 2.


ACE-3 aims to work better across sectors, with more industry collaboration.

It aims to simplify flow of funds and support more policy harmonization initiatives in higher education across the region

The broad objective of ACE Impact is to increase quantity, quality and development of relevant postgraduate education in selected universities through regional specialisation.

FG Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 20th November 2018 as public holiday to mark the Eid-El Maulud celebration.

This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen (rtd) Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Tuesday in a statement signed by the permanent secretary, Dr. M.B Umar.

He urged all Muslim faithful to align themselves with the prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.



Dambazau also called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues, with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

He assured that “the Federal Government remains committed to the unity of the country and as such, will put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that the forthcoming general elections are credible, free and fair.”

AFCON Qualifier 2019: South Africa To Challenge Nigeria Today

[i]By Ganiyu Ayanniyi[/i]

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have been booked to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria at 2pm today, Saturday, 17th November, 2018 at Johannesburg.

Both aforementioned teams are leading the table of the Group E. Nigeria with 9 points, South Africa with 8 points, Libya with 4 points and Seychelles with 1 point.

The Super Eagles are hoping to win the match for straight qualification because they lost their last match against South Africa 2 goals to nil in 2017 on Nigerian soil.



According to Rohr in Dailypost news, the French-German coach of the Super Eagles thinks the match will be a bit difficult but he hopes for a win or draw.

"We are expecting a difficult match but a good result. We are targeting qualification which means we need at least a point but we go there to win the game as we do always.

”If it is only a draw, it will be enough because we will surely qualify with one point.” said Rohr.

The match is expected to be a tough one for both teams. Nevertheless, there will either be  a win, a lose or a draw.

Apply For United Bank for Africa (UBA) Campus Ambassadors Program 2019

Deadline: December 15, 2018

Applications are invited for the UBA Campus Ambassadors Program 2019. The UBA Campus Ambassador program offers a unique opportunity to students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and across Africa to be part of a dynamic and forward thinking Pan-African bank by representing the brand on campus.

The initiative is part of the bank’s commitment to developing creativity and leadership abilities amongst young people in the continent of Africa. The program is designed to be a learning experience and a highly rewarding pursuit for selected students, while providing them with a platform to build their leadership capabilities and showcase their diverse talents.

Responsibilities
• Represent the UBA brand on campus
• Provide insights that will help UBA better understand campus requirements unique to each region
• Learn about UBA products/ services and promote their adoption within the campus
• Plan and host fun events on campus to amplify the UBA brand
• Build relationships on campus with the school authorities, faculty and student groups
• Identify trends and opportunities that UBA can leverage within the campus community
• Implement various UBA initiatives within the campus



Benefits
• Development of Intellectual, leadership and creative skills through periodic training
• Monthly stipend
• Gift pack with UBA branded collateral
• Networking and collaboration with other ambassadors from campuses across Africa
• Career advisory, mentorship and interaction with managers in UBA
• Free tickets to UBA events
• Learn about UBA culture and career opportunities
• Inclusion of UBA campus ambassador experience in your resume
• Award

Eligibility
• Must be a registered, full-time undergraduate student of any tertiary institution in Nigeria and African countries where UBA operates
• Must be actively involved with student groups and influential within the campus community
• Must have established social media presence with demonstrable followership
• Should possess experience in engaging stakeholders within the school community
• Should have the ability to gather feedback and provide innovative insights
• Should be able to dedicate 3-4 hours weekly
• Must be highly professional in general conduct
• Should have a UBA account

Application


Click here to apply

ICPC Set To Arraign OAU Sex For Mark Professor In Court

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign a former lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Richard Iyiola Akindele, at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

Mr Akindele was accused of demanding sex from one of his students, Ms. Monica Osagie, in order to upgrade her academic result.

In a statement by the spokesman of the commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa, Professor Akindele will be docked on Monday 19th November 2018, on a 3-count charge having been accused of using his position as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting to demand for sexual benefit from a student and fraudulently upgrade her result in Research Method course which she supposedly failed in 2017.

The Commission says that his actions were contrary to Sections 8 (1) (a) (ii), and 18 (d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under the same sections.



One of the counts reads, “That you, professor Akindele, on or about the 16th day of September, 2017 at Ile-Ife did corruptly ask for sexual benefits for yourself from Ms. Monica Osagie on account of favour to be afterwards shown to her by you in the discharge of your official duties as a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University, to wit; altering her academic grades in the course with code MBA 632- Research Method from fail to pass; and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8(1)(a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

The 57-year-old professor has asked for plea-bargain having admitted guilt. He also cited ill-health as a factor that may make him unable to stand the rigours of prison life, notifying the Commission through his lawyer, Omotayo Alade-Fawole.

He pleaded that his prayers for plea-bargain be considered, more so as he was already serving punishment for his offence having been sacked by the university.

Ms. Osagie had earlier expressed a lack of confidence in the capacity of ICPC to give her a fair hearing.

According to the commission, the public announcement of the professors impending arraignment is in fulfillment of its promise to the public to avail them of the outcome of the investigation in due time.