The Court of Appeal, Akure on Friday saw nothing wrong in the Federal High Court, Oshogbo ruling that Richard Akindele, a university Professor was guilty of the accusation of official corruption and abuse of office for his demand for sexual gratification from one of his students in 2018.
Akindele, a senior lecturer and professor of management accounting in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, was found guilty and convicted by the Federal High Court, Oshogbo for demanding sexual gratification from Monica Osagie sometime in 2018.
His offense was a four-count charge filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The anti-corruption agency had accused the lecturer of demanding sexual favors from Monica in exchange for a pass grade in her academic examinations.
After serving a two-year jail term for the offence, following his sentencing by Justice Maureen Onyetenu of a federal high court, Osogbo, Akindele was on March 19 this year released from prison. However, following his conviction, Akindele challenged the decision of the court on the ground that the trial court in Oshogbo, which convicted him had no jurisdiction.
Through his counsel, Ijatuyi, Akindele argued that since the alleged offence bordered on sexual harassment in the workplace, it is only the National Industrial Court that possessed the exclusive jurisdiction to handle such cases.
However, in the ruling of the appellate court on Friday, in appeal No. CA/AK/80c/2019 (Prof Richard Akindele v FRN), the ruling of the lower Court was upheld by E.A. Shogunle, Esq.
The court said the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court in criminal matters is not exclusive.
The court therefore affirmed Akindele’s trial and conviction for the offence.
