I Didn't Leak The Audio Conversation On Social Media

Monica Osagie, the graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, who leaked the alleged audio conversation between her and Professor Richard Akindele in February have said that her life has been miserable since she exposed the sex-for-mark scandal

Are you still in good terms with your boyfriend after the scandal?

Yes, because I told him everything from the beginning to the end.

How are your parents handling the issue presently?

It took a while before my dad got to know about it. He found out the day my face was published on the front page of The Punch Newspapers. So, he asked me what happened and I told him the truth.

Did your family support your decision or reprimand you for taking such action?

My dad supported my action but my aunts were of the opinion that I shouldn’t have exposed him (Prof Akindele) because, by exposing him, I will also expose myself as well. They insisted that my action would not help my future but I have done what I think was proper already.

Did you regret your action?

Not really because Prof. Akindele made me to really suffer serious psychological trauma.

Are you being stigmatised as a result of what happened?

Oh yes! I received a lot of threats from many social media users. I suffered physical harassment at public places, especially in the banking halls. I also received a series of calls from strangers who would address me as “ashawo” “home wrecker” and “career destroyer.” People accused me of destroying the career of the professor.

How are you and your family handling the stigma?

Well, my dad is greatly worried because he paid my Master’s degree fees and I had yet to get my certificate. I read the lies that were published in favour of Professor Akindele where the vice-chancellor said I was no longer a student of the school and that I failed too many courses. Thank God, each time our results were pasted in the secretary’s office, I always wrote my grade so they can’t manipulate my result.

There are other measures you could use to handle the case, why did you choose the social media approach?

I didn’t use the social media approach. I wasn’t the one that put the audio recording on the Internet. I did record it because I needed a listening ear to help me to plead with Professor Akindele so that he could leave me alone but he wouldn’t. He called my phone constantly requesting to know where I live in school so that he could visit me. There was a time he called after a church service on a Sunday, asking me if I had changed my mind and had agreed with his terms but I blatantly said no!

Who posted the viral audio on the social media then?

I really don’t know. I submitted the audio to a woman in the Guidance and Counseling Department and the rest is history.

Did you read the defence of Prof. Akindele where he levelled some allegations against you before the panel?

Yes, I read his defence. The account of the incident as presented by Professor Akindele is really hilarious. The reason I didn’t say anything then was that I didn’t see the need to. A drowning man will say anything to set himself free, let alone a disgraced professor.