The move by convicted and dismissed lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Richard Akindele to upturn his conviction over sex demand from a female student of the institution has hit a brickwall.
Penpushing reports that, Akindele who was sentenced to two years imprisonment and served the term at Ilesa prison had approached the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State to challenge his dismissal from the university, his trial and conviction at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
The university don, it is recalled was caught on tape demanding sex to upgrade the marks of Monica Osagie, a Masters student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),Ile-Ife, in Osun State, a development which led to his dismissal and subsequent conviction by the court
Penpushing further reports that, Akindele was later arraigned by the Independent and Corrupt Practice Commission(ICPC) at a Federal High Court in Osogbo on a four-count charge having being alleged, to have committed an offence contrary to Section A (1)(2) of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act.
The judge, Justice Maurine Onyetenu found him guilty and thereafter sentenced the accused to twenty-four months jail, and served the sentence in Ilesa prison, but on completion of the term, approached the Akure court through his counsel, O. A. Ijatuyi.
Penpushing also reports that,Akindele argued that the offence bordered on sexual harassment in the workplace and could only be tried by the National Industrial Court by virtue of section 254 of the constitution.
The argument by the Professor, through his lawyer, in an appeal with reference number CA/AK/80c/2019 was, however, countered by the respondent by Independent and Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) counsel, E.A. Shogunle.
Penpushing reports that, the judge while delivering judgment on Friday declared that, the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court in criminal matters is not exclusive, and held that S. 26(2) of the ICPC Act 2000 grants jurisdiction to any superior court of record to try offences under the Act, hence it dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.
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