Varsity HOD on trial for demanding sex, N100,000 from student

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the former Head of Department (HOD) of Religious Studies at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Dr Balogun Olaniran, for demanding sexual and monetary gratification from a female student of the institution.

The former HOD was arraigned on Friday before the High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode by ICPC on a one-count charge for violating Section 8(1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The ICPC counsel told the court that Olaniran, while being the HOD of Religious Studies at TASUED between October and November 2021, demanded sexual benefit or the payment of N100,000 from a female student with a promise to alter her academic grades.

The charge partly read: “… within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, corruptly demanded sexual benefit or payment of the sum of N100,000 for himself from … (name withheld), a female student, on account of a favour to be afterwards shown her in the discharge of his official duties as a lecturer and Head of Department of Religious Studies at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, to wit, offering to alter her academic grades from fail to pass in courses with codes EDU 311 and EDU 312”.

The defendant, however, pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him.

The presiding judge, Justice Osinuga, admitted Olaniran to bail of N500,000 with a surety in like sum, adding that the surety must provide evidence of three years of tax clearance and evidence of means.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter to May 11, 2023, for commencement of trial.

The Star