A Nigerian student exposed a university professor who she said tried to coerce her into having sex with him in exchange for higher grades in his class.
Monica Osetobe Osagie recorded a conversation with the professor at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Osun State, southwest Nigeria, after saying he pressured her on several occasions to either sleep with him, or fail the master’s degree class, reports CNN.
Instead, Osagie recorded the conversation for proof to give to authorities, but somehow, she said, it leaked online and now she’s been the target of intimidation for exposing the teacher.
OAU officials confirmed that the voice on the recording is that of Richard Akindele, an accounting professor at the university.
The university said in a statement posted on its website: “Professor Richard I. Akindele, of the department of management and accounting, is now established to be the lecturer in the controversial ‘marks for sex’ audio recording. The female voice has also been identified as that of Miss Monica Osetobe Osagie, a postgraduate student on the Master of Business Administration Regular programme.”
Akindele has since been suspended pending a final decision by the university.
The university added that “it will continue to do everything legally and morally acceptable in pursuance of its avowed commitment to zero tolerance for sexual harassment, intimidation and, or coercion.”
Osagie’s circumstance has joined many around the world in which women have felt empowered to speak out against sexual abuse as the #MeToo movement has taken flight around the globe.
The 23-year-old said she was apprehensive about coming forward, that’s why she recorded the conversation to prove sexual harassment had occurred.
“He kept calling me to ask if I was ready to accept his proposal. So, I decided to record our next conversation,” she added.
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In the tape, the professor can be heard negotiated the sexual arrangement terms saying: “Is it not five we agreed? Our agreement is five,” the man says on the tape.
Osagie replies, “Is it B that you want to give me or A? Why would it be five times you will knack me? Prof, you know what? Let me fail it. I can’t do it five times.”
Despite the criticism she has received for speaking out and exposing her professor, she says she’s glad she stood up for this cause.
“I am actually happy I came out. I am helping many ladies that have gone through the same thing I have gone through, and most of them can’t talk about it.
“They are scared of coming out in public. But I know it happens everywhere, not just in Nigeria. For me, speaking up will bring more women to speak and eradicate what is happening around young women and older men,” Osagie told CNN.
“There is no work or … education that is worth your dignity,” she added. “I will keep saying that.”