Final year female students of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos State, have accused David Akindele, a fellow coursemate, of sexual harassment.

One of the students, who spoke to FIJ on condition of anonymity, said Akindele’s actions have become a topic of discussion in a WhatsApp chat group belonging to students of the faculty.

In one of the conversations in the group, Akindele confessed to sending sexually offensive materials to one of his victims.

After the comment, he was confronted by some members of the group over his actions.

While trying to defend himself, Akindele said the following:

“I’m not a consistent sexual harasser. It happened twice and I have stayed away and done better.”

Other female students from the group also confirmed to FIJ that Akindele was in the habit of sending inappropriate and sexually explicit messages to them. They also accused him of always ‘touching them inappropriately during physical interactions.

Following the revelation, a few more victims decided to reveal past WhatsApp conversations they have had with him.

On one occasion, he asked one of his victims ‘to prostitute herself’ for his pleasure.

Another victim alleged that, Akindele once fondled her buttocks, while she was trying to hug him during a period he was on a wheelchair.

When FIJ reached out to the student about the wheelchair incident, he said it was a figment of his accuser’s imagination. He also described the allegation as an attempt to smear his name, claiming the incident never happened.

On all other incidents cited, Akindele said, “Yes, I have a habit of making unsolicited sexual advances and verbal comments that usually make other parties uncomfortable.”

“I have also made nasty comments I’m now ashamed of and regret. However, I don’t think I have committed any sexual offense. Some of the chat evidences are malicious and I do not recognise the conversation.”

When FIJ asked if he believed his actions contravened section 264 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011, which, on conviction, could see him spend up to three years in prison, he said he had not made any physical action that could “complete the elements” of a criminal offence.

Akindele later revealed to FIJ that he had once been treated for psychosis and borderline depression at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).