A Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday refused to grant bail to the former lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Richard Akindele.
Akindele is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly demanding sex from one of his students, Ms Monica Osagie.
The court, presided over by Justice Maureen Onyetenu, however, ordered the ICPC counsel to produce video evidence of the lecturer and his student ‘having fun’.
In her ruling, Onyetenu also ordered Akindeke to be remanded in Ilesa Prison until the next date of adjournment, December 17, for bail consideration and to allow more evidence from the prosecution counsel on whether or not to grant bail.
There was, however, a hot argument between ICPC’s senior legal officer, Mr. Kehinde Adetoye and counsel for the accused, Mr. Francis Omotosho, on whether the former lecturer should be granted bail or not.
Adetoyese prayed the court to deny the defendant bail on the grounds that he would not stand his trial when released because he refused to appear in the ICPC office, Abuja, after a written agreement to honour any invitation extended to him, particularly on his return from abroad after a medical trip.
Akindele’s counsel kicked against the claim and prayed the court to grant his client bail, pending the final determination of the case.
The judge adjourned the case till December 17 and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison.
