A Nigerian human rights activist Mrs. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi has revealed that a university professor has dragged her to court for a sum of N500m for exposing and challenging him over a sexual harassment case.
Akiode-Afolabi, who was speaking shortly after being conferred with a honourary award for her works in the rights advocacy in Lagos on Friday.
She was honoured at the 2022 edition of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Speaking, Abiola-Akiode, who is the founding director of the Women Advocacy Research and Documentation Centre (WARD-C) also spoke on her works that got a former professor at the Obafemi Awowolo University Ile Ife jailed.
She was a student of the institution herself.
Akiode-Afolabi was speaking on the case of a Masters of Business Administration student Monica Osagie who blew the whistle over jailed Prof Richard Akindele.
The university had set up an investigation panel which indicted Akindele.
Miss Osagie had released a recorded conversation that went viral, in which the lecturer identified as Prof. Richard Akindele had demanded sex in exchange for marks.
The human rights activist said apart from the Monica case which became a huge successes, there is another similar case which also involved sexual harassment.
“But the man has courage. He has sued me for N500m for challenging him and claiming damages.
“So, as I stand here before you today, I have a N500m suit hanging on my head.”
She however revealed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has waded and taken over the case.
Declaring the lecturer wanted, the ICPC stated, “The person whose picture appears here, OLANIRAN BALOGUN is hereby declared WANTED by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a suspected case of demand for gratification and abuse of office.
“He has refused to honour several invitations extended to him through the authorities of Tai Solarin University of Education, ljebu Ode, Ogun State.
“Accordingly, a warrant of arrest has been issued for his immediate arrest. He is advised to report himself to any of the ICPC State Offices in either Lagos, Ibadan or the nearest Police station.”
In a letter by E.O Odunikan, who wrote to Akiode-Afolabi, on behalf of Balogun said the human rights crusader defamed his character.
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by the NPO Reports, said, “Our client is constrained to instruct us to write this letter to you in response to your letter dated 24th January, 2022.
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“Our client informed us about the letter dated 24th January 2022 which letter you wrote to the Vice Chancellor of his Institution, where he lectures at the department of C.R.S, TASUED, therefore Maligning the reputation of our client and you also sent same, letter to ICPC, Ministry of Education and the Executive Governor of Ogun State which actions of yours is to defame our client’s reputation.
“But on our client’s reply to the query given to him, it was discovered that all the contents in your letter were false as your client failed in her exams and no money was demanded from her,” the lawyer stated
The lawyer said that “considering the high profile, honesty, integrity and good name, our client had laboured for all over these years to build for himself and that of his career. You have falsely presented our client to his employer as a thief and dishonest person, when he is not.”
He added, “Suffice to say, by your defamatory statement, you have made our client to suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, academically and reputably Which action of yours is rather unlawful, uncalled for, unacceptable, unwarranted, unconstitutional and act to disrepute our client’s career and good.”
The letter added, “However, our client believes, if such letter could be written, you have every right to call for your client’s papers in school and also to investigate the information given to you by your client, as your actions and letter is against the principle of natural justice, equity and fairness.
“In your letter, you made yourself the accuser, investigator, witness against our client and also the judge in your own case, therefore, maligning the reputation of our client. You will agree with us that he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands, if your client fails her exams, she must write same in order to pass her exam.”