FIGHT BACK OF THE ALLEGED RANDY LECTURER IN EKPOM

THE  ALLEGED RANDY LECTURER IN A. A. U

- THE TRUE STORY

MY BEGINNINGS

          I was born into a very humble background on the 6^th of June, 1956 and my childhood was one spent without hope of a formal education  as a result of financial constraints since I had lost my father in 1959 when I was just three (3) years of age.

          I had a lucky break in the introduction of the Institute of Continuing Education (I.C.E) by the then Military  Governor of the old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

          I enrolled for my Secondary Education in 1973 and three (3) years later, in 1976 I sat for my Certificate/G.C.E (Inspite of the fact that I wasn’t due for the level of Examinations as I had only spent three (3)  years of Secondary Education). It became necessary for me to explore all avenues to cut cost and save time by studying extra hard and striving to sit and pass my G.C.E at the very first sitting.

As soon as this hurdle was crossed, I worked briefly as Assistant Technical Officer (A.T.O) in the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) now Edo Broadcasting Service, (EBS).

In 1978 I proceeded  to Auchi Polytechnic to study Electrical/Electronics Engineering and obtained my Higher National diploma HND in 1982 with an Upper Credit. After my one year mandatory Youth Service, I was employed by the then Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma as Technologist II and assumed duty on the 4^th of October 1983.

Indeed, my fortunes were better now and my standard of living had improved, but I did not rest on my oars. My thirst for Academic knowledge and a desire to ensure a strong background for my children, as well as, the conviction that the only sure way to  prosperity was through a sound education fired my enrolling for a Post – Graduate Diploma in Power System/Machine Engineering which I successfully completed in 1998. I gained admission to study for my Masters Degree in Engineering and by April 8^th 2010, I successfully defended my Ph.D thesis.

Before now, in October 2003, I converted from non – Academic Staff to Academic Staff as Lecturer II, having risen to the post of Chief Engineer as a non – Academic Staff.

MY RISE

As a non – academic Staff and later an Academic Staff, I distinguished myself by contesting for the position of Chairman of the Senior Staff of the Non – Academic Staff Union of Universities and won.

Between 1990 – 2000 when I was  the Chairman of the Union, I held several positions, ranging from:

è   Member, appointment and promotion Committee

è   Member, Senior Staff disciplinary Committee

è   Member, Staff Housing Committee

è   Member, Vehicle loan Committee

è   Member, University Consultancy Services

In 2000, after serving the Senior Staff Association for 10 years, I was elected Vice President (WEST) at the National level and by virtue of this position, I was involved in many negotiations at the National Level with the Federal Government.

I was also the Chairman of Edo-Ne risi, an Ethnic Association  of Binis in Diaspora.

As an Academic Staff, I  distinguished myself with 21 publications and 3 designs and in the course of these achievements, I became a member of several Professional Bodies like the

è   Corporate Nigerian Society of Engineers

è   Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (Chartered and Registered Engineers)

è   Institute of Electrical/Electronic Engineering (American Version)

AWARDS

In the discharge of my duties in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, I received four (4)  Letters of Commendation from different Vice – Chancellors of the Institution at various times. They are

è   Dr. Awele Madumezia who was Vice Chancellor of the University from 1988  to 1991.

è   Prof. J. Osemekhian (Twice)  who was Vice Chancellor of the University from 1991 to 1997.

è   Prof. D. O. Aigbomian who was Vice Chancellor of the University from 2004 to 2009.

Indeed my rocky start to life had become a fairy tale, but the enemy had other plans.

My voyage through life was never one to be likened to a bed of roses. I had achieved everything in life by sheer dint of hardwork and I have always been guided by principles and an Unshakeable belief that things should always be done the right way. Indeed, I stand to be corrected but for those who want to be honest with themselves, five names could not  be mentioned in A.A.U of Men of high Integrity without my name being there until July 17th 2010, when I encountered my ordeals in the hands of those who were envious of me. I am proud to say I  was a reference point and the records are there to  speak for me. My antecedents are there to vindicate me.

WHY MY COLLEAGUES MOVED AGAINST ME

The faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has the produced various personalities in the society doing very well in their endeavours. Unfortunately, few disgruntled elements are hell Benton  denting the good image of the faculty.

          During Examinations, I once noticed that some students smuggled booklets out of the Hall and return un-noticed to submit detailed answers to my questions which they had written outside the confines of the Examination hall with the aid of text books. This device of Examination Malpractice was not unconnected with the fact that no student or lecturer could influence my marks for any student in my course. I had to come up with a solution to this problem. I devised the idea of COREN stamp with my own unique number with which I would stamp booklets during the period of Exam and append my signature. There was quite a recent experience I had in the faculty after one of my examinations, where I discovered and sifted out some scripts that didn’t carry my stamp and signature and which were obviously such smuggled into the hall by students who perhaps were not aware of my clever device. I tracked down the students through their Matriculation Numbers and at least one of the students confessed during my interrogation that one of my colleagues had assisted them in smuggling out the booklets. I then made a protest to the Dean of the faculty who issued a query to the said lecturer. This issue was the first semester of 2008/2009 Academic session. This colleague of mine the accused persons charged to court for my setup.

MY PROSPECTS

          My investiture as a Professor was in sight, having possessed the relevant Publications for the position of an Associate Professor even before the conclusion of my Ph.D  Programme and I was likely to become the next Head of the Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering. It was also certain that with my person as a Head of Department, there was no way some of these dirty practices would not be stopped. It was also clear that those with skeletons in their cupboards would have reason to be disturbed.

Whether these factors above or combination of these factors and perhaps other factors led to the incident of July 17^th 2010 is known only to  God.

THE WOMAN, JUDITH IVIE OKOSUN       

          I was involved in a relationship with this Lady called Judith Ivie Okosun. I shall hereafter refer to her as Judith. This relationship was, infact, initiated by the said Judith Ivie Okosun by sending an sms message to my phone, expressing her love feelings to me. We exchanged phone calls and sms messages but I later discovered that she didn’t possess the inherent qualities of a good partner. She was academically deficient and was rumoured to be involved in cult related activities. Upon this discovery, I resolved to retrace my steps as carefully as I could as I had too much  at  stake. Though she quarreled over my move, I could not imagine that  she was up to  anything sinister in conjunction with other persons in the Faculty who had planned to use her as a tool to get rid of me.

THE WOMAN JUDITH IVIE OKOSUN (PART II)

I know I made comment on the woman Judith Ivie Okosun before. But I desire to say more at least to clear all doubt that I never victimized her or any student for that matter in the exercise of my duties as a lecturer in the University.

When the allegation of sexual harassment was made by her after her crime, the then  Vice Chancellor of the Institution gave a matching order that all scripts of the said Judith in the courses I took be censored. I in conjunction with the Head of Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering went to the dip to search for her previous scripts. I had to make  photocopies of same perhaps because I knew and occasion like this would arise.

Below is her script previously marked where she got 13 percent. See annexure ‘A’.

She re-took this same course on the 14^th day of July, 2010 and immediately after the exam, she came to me to say that she did badly in the examination. She requested me to allow her re-write the said paper outside the university but I sharply rebuked her and told her it was impossible. This request was made by her on Friday 16^th July, 2010 and my ordeal in her hands and the other hoodlums happened on the 17^th day of July, 2010.

While I acknowledge the rustication of the said Judith for 3 sessions by the university which from the facts of this case in a mockery of the University fairness and discipline, I say emphatically without prejudice to the criminal proceeding that it would have been my desire that the school authority allow her remain in the university on the condition that all her previous scripts be censored, her subsequent examinations be highly guided by the university.

I can assure every reader of this story that Judith would not graduate from the university in the next ten years.

MY CAPTIVITY

          On the 17^th of July, 210, at about 3.44 pm, Judith, phoned to invite me to her house. Her tone was persistent and I got the impression of an emergency. I had hurried down to her place at a private residence at Ihunmudumu area in the University town of Ekpoma, not knowing that she planned to hold me hostage with the help of her cohorts. As soon as she ushered me in, I noticed a group of boys drifting to the scene. I had asked her what was going on and in response, she pounced on me, tore my clothing while the boys who were her cohorts joined her in ordering me to strip naked. I was terribly assaulted and issued frightening commands to the effect that I should meet with their demands before I could be released. Some of the hoodlums who drifted to the scene  to aid Judith achieve her criminal motive  were three of my colleagues, among them was the lecturer I earlier on referred to in this story as the Lecturer that was issued with a query by the Dean in the smuggling of exam booklets into the hall during the  examination of my course. I was all alone in their midst and I was helpless. My said colleagues joined the hoodlums to hoot at me and told me to comply with the demands of the hoodlums.  It was then it began to dawn on me that I had been framed up.

          The hoodlums ceased my car keys and demanded the sum of N500,000 (five hundred thousand Naira). I appealed to them to accept a post dated cheque of N100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira) pending my June salaries and they accepted reluctantly. I was then directed to issue a Bank PHB cheque No: 35439350 in the name of Miss Judith Ivie Okosun, all in a bid to have a way out of their den. The entire scene was carefully being recorded by Judith and her gang. This further deepened my belief that the plot had since been hatched and the draught had since been spread out wide in order to bring me down

          The hoodlums ensured that my nakedness was recorded after my trousers and shirt had been torn by Judith

          I was released after I had been forced to meet with their demands but with a fierce warning by the hoodlums never to report to the Police of else I would forever regret it.

          However, in my state of vicissitudes, confusion, agony and half nakedness, I drove to the Ekpoma Police Division where the  Police acted quite timeously.

The Police had rushed down to the scene of my captivity, and found Judith in company of other hoodlums about  to elope with the cheque and same was recovered from her possession. The arrest of Judith and some of her cohorts by the Police apparently angered the hoodlums who had initially warned me not to in my own interest report the matter to the Police.

The hoodlums immediately sent the obsence recording of my person in the state of my dehumanization by then (the hoodlums) to the internet facebook, personal handsets of unsuspecting members of the Public and followed it up with massive publications in both internet and media Houses tagging it “Randy Lecturer”  “Sex for marks”. This misrepresentation of facts was indeed a strategy of the hoodlums first to divert the attention of the Police from their criminal actions and to arouse Public sentiments in favour of the hoodlums.

WHY I KEPT SILENT FOR THIS LONG   

          Indeed the gory incident, the attendant propaganda of the hoodlums and my trial by the University authorities traumatized me. It was therefore expected that I ought to have granted press interviews to Newsmen to enable the public know the true story before now.

I was  however constrained. Firstly, in the course of my irrational trial by the University, it is against the Institution’s Regulation to make public an issue still before it as an employee of the school. I never wanted to be caught in that mistake even at the height of all provocative publications by the hoodlums.

After my trial and subsequent termination of my appointment, I still was not in a position to brief the press on the true state of affairs in order not to jeopardize the Police Investigation; some of which I was privileged to know. Infact, if that  had happened, my story would have been more disastrous.

INVESTIGATIONS BY THE POLICE

          The Police Station at first instance was the Ekpoma Police Division. I waited patiently for same investigation to be concluded by the Division. The  Divisional Police Officer then, as I later discovered, had recommended to the School Authorities that even though Judith had committed a criminal offence, she should not be charged to court in order to safeguard the image of the school.

          Upon the discovery of this charade, I forwarded a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 Police Headquarters, Benin City, who referred same to the State Police Headquarters for a thorough investigation. At the level of the State Police Headquarters, some of the  hoodlums including the principal suspect, Judith, were arrested. But few hours after their arrest, the then Commissioner of Police in the State, Kachi Udochi, summoned the investigating team and the parties, including myself to his office. While there, the Commissioner rained abuses on me, leaving the criminal actions of the hoodlums. He directed the investigation team to release the suspects on bail,  though did not order the investigation team to stop investigation.

The tone of the Commissioner, apparently gave the hoodlums added momentum who upon leaving the Commissioner’s office, rained abuses on me and told me that they had expected me to commit suicide by now.

          Since there was no order to discontinue  the investigation (an act of God), the courageous investigating team continued its investigation.

The Police Investigating Team demonstrated its expertise by writing    to MTN Network to release the call log of the communication of the GSM Number of Judith and the call log of the communication of my GSM Number, where a detailed analysis was carried out. It was discovered in the course of my analysis, the frequent communications (both voice calls and sms messages) between me and Judith which obviously established the fact that a relationship existed  between us, contrary to the claim of the hoodlums that I attempted to rape her.

But the  point of interest of the MTN call log communication also revealed that Judith had several communications with some of my arch adversaries in the Faculty immediately before the incident. This communication connotes that series of meetings were held between Judith and some of these my said colleagues.

Specifically on the 3^rd of June, 2010, there was communication between Judith and two of my suspected colleagues arrested by the Police. The trio first met in Ekpoma, came to Benin and relocated back to Ekpoma. In most of those communications, Judith would call my phone. The call log also shows how these my colleagues were called to the scene as soon as their plan was hatched on that fateful day.

With the revelations of the MTN call log, the Police had applied to the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin by an Exparte Application in Suit No: FHC/B/C5/182 which was granted by the Court, mandating MTN Nigeria to release full sms messages and Audio version of Judith’s communications with these colleagues of mine and my humble self. Unfortunately however, by a letter  dated 11^th October, 2010 written by MTN to the court, MTN stated that they were not in a position to produce same record.

I am convinced however that if that had been done by MTN, the number of my colleague now in Police net over this crime would have been more.

Knowing that the Police was still bent on its investigation, the hoodlums and their Solicitors (Olayiwola Afolabi) embarked on the writing of spurious petitions against me. Rather than the  Solicitors doing his job in accordance with his professional ethic, he engaged himself in persecuting me for money. He wrote inciting articles against me in some dailies. In one of the said petitions addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Abuja which the IG referred to the Zone 5 Police Headquarters, in Benin for investigation, the hoodlums alleged that I attempted to rape Judith.

That case file was then transferred to the Zone 5 Police Headquarters. In the course of the Police investigation of this allegation, it was clear that  the said Judith, as an after thought, alleged attempted rape in her petition in connivance with her said Solicitor in order to frustrate the original Police Investigation. The recorded video of the incident by the hoodlums was clear on who attempted to rape who. The least shown in the video clip of myself and Judith was my indecent assault by the said Judith. When the spurious allegation  of the hoodlums could not be proved, the then Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5 Police Headquarters A.I.G Abubakar directed the continuation of investigation of the hoodlums in the offences of Demanding property with menaces with intent to steal, contrary to Section 406 of the Criminal Code Act, Publication of a defamatory Matter. Contrary to Section 375 of Criminal Code Act, indecent  assault, contrary to S.353 of Criminal Code Act and publication of obscene matter,  this time at Zone 5 Police Headquarters.

          When it dawn on them that criminal charges were being preferred against them, the hoodlums and Solicitors raised on urgent petition to the Inspector General of Police, to scuttle investigation, the 2^nd time. Consequently, the Zone 5 Police Headquarters, informed me that investigation at the Zone 5 was now on hold in view of the signal received from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

          I had to wait for months, expecting invitation to Abuja or any other Police Command that may continue with the investigation.

          After waiting for so long without any development, I made consistent visits to the Police to find out what was amiss. The hoodlums stopped reporting at the station and the Police became handicapped in view of the hoodlums Petition against zone 5 Police Officers, apparently, wanting the matter to be dead.

          This situation made me, through my Solicitors, to write a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Abuja, with details of the crime of the hoodlums and the attempt by them to stall Police Investigation.

          The Inspector General of Police upon receipt of my said protest promptly directed the Zone 5 Police Headquarters to continue with its investigation and forward a comprehensive report to his office. My solicitors were further informed of this development.

The hoodlums had also before this development in one of their spurious petition to the Police, accused me of sending hired assassins to the hoodlums. This the Police investigated and found to be baseless. This was another ploy to divert further investigation on the matter. These various tactics, created room for some of the hoodlums, particularly Judith, to Jump Police bail and are now at large.

Meanwhile, the Zone 5 Police Headquarters after a thorough analysis of the criminalities perpetuated by the hoodlums remitted the file back to the State Police Headquarters which  has the necessary manpower and capacity to investigate and prosecute the culprits.

On Thursday the 7th Day of July, 2011, I was informed by  the investigating team at the State C. I. D. Benin City that I should report at the Ekpoma Magistrate Court on Thursday, 7th  day of July, 2011 as the complainant and some of the hoodlums still within Police reach would be arraigned in court.

But surprisingly on Wednesday, the 6th Day of July, 2011, I got another call from the investigating team that arraignment of these culprits on that day was not holding anymore until further directive. I became furious at the investigating team and infact accused them wrongly of compromising. But on further enquiry however, I discovered that the hoodlums’ Solicitors Olayiwola Afolabi, in conjunction with the parents of Judith  had gone to see the current Police Commissioner Mr. David Omojola to misrepresent facts to him to the effect that the suspects were being  victimized by the investigating Police team.

The new CP had on the basis of his allegation directed the I.P.O to handover the case file to the Deputy Commissioner of Police Edo State Police Command.

On Thursday the 7th day of July, 2011, I went to the office of the DC. The DC denied me audience and upon my further insistence to see him, that I came all the way from Ekpoma on account of this issue and therefore cannot leave without an answer from him, he requested one of his orderlies to inform me that he was already aware of my mission and my seeing him was not necessary but rather, I should go back to the State C.I.D. Few hours later, I was called by the investigating team that the court day was now fixed for Monday the 11th Day of July 2011.

Inveiw of the fact that  many of the culprits are still at large, the Police had to arraign the hoodlums in court instalmentally.

As at today, only four out of the eight hoodlums arrested by the Police have so far been arraigned at the Magistrate Court, Ekpoma while others, including Judith, the Principal suspect are at large.

MY TRIAL BY THE AUTHORITIES OF AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY

          At the heat of the widespread display of my obscene photographs by these hoodlums in the internet and personal handsets of unsuspecting members of the Public, I was served with a letter of invitation to the Disciplinary committee set up by the Vice Chancellor with a written defence to be submitted within 48  hours. The Vice – Chancellor had abandoned the existing Senior  Staff Disciplinary Committee (a standing committee in the school in charge of trial of erring senior staff) to set up another committee solely for the purpose of my trial.

          I forwarded my written defence to the committee on the 4^th of August, 2010 and the committee had its first hearing the following day, 5^th day of August, 2010 and its 2^nd and final hearing on the 10^th day of August, 2010  - all within 6 days.

During the trial, Judith of raised a spontaneous alarm upon citing a member of the panel.

          Judith accused one of the panel member that the very day she was arrested the panel member accused her of having seducing spirit, as she has once attempted to seduce him. Based on this information there was this argument among the panel members, the persons accused she leave the panel. Though he stayed, but when the decision were taken he was asked to leave, what an irony?

          I informed the committee that this case was a subject of police investigation and it was therefore necessary for the committee to be patient in order to know which staff would face the Disciplinary Committee in the first place.

          The Disciplinary Committee in its final report found as a fact the existence of a relationship between me and Judith which the panel tagged ‘ILLICIT’

          The committee found as a fact that I was indecently assaulted by Judith and her cohorts but however recommended the termination of my appointment even while acknowledging my 27 years of meritorious service to the university with an unbeatable recorded of my four commendations by the university authorities.

The panel concluded my trial within six days and passed its recommendation to the Governing Council of the University in that same month of August, 2010.

MY CHALLENGE TO THE AUTHORITIES OF AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY

          I would not conclude my story without throwing my heart to the ring at this point. I challenge the Authorities of Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma to produce all the scripts of students I have examined including students who have graduated and censor same to see if there is any that indicate that I ever compromised in the discharge of my duties as a lecturer in the institution since my employment. I throw a similar challenge to the university Authorities to do the same to all other lecturers in the faculty of Engineering and Technology FET. At least for the University Authorities and indeed the Public to know who the bad eggs are in the faculty.

          Dated this 14th day of July, 2011.

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ENGR. (DR) PETER AIYEVBEKPEN OTUBU