Alleged rape: Court dismissal, acquits UNIBEN lecturer

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has discharged and acquitted a lecturer of the University of Benin, Dr. Omowumi Ekundayo Steven, over the alleged sexual assault and rape of a final year student of the institution.

Judge (Mrs.) Mary Itueli discharged and acquitted the lecturer in a judgment delivered on Friday, October 25, 2024.

Steven, a lecturer at the Department of English and Literature, has been on trial since 2022 over alleged sexual assault and rape.

In her judgment in the case marked B/CD/8CV/22, Judge Itueli found that the prosecution team had failed to prove their case against the accused.

The court also acquitted the accused due to lack of substantive evidence and evidence.

Dismissing any complaint filed by counsel and former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana, the court maintained that the applicant’s testimony was not corroborated by the testimony of the other five prosecution witnesses.

Justice Itueli also stated that the prosecution team also failed to present the medical report of the UBTH of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital to the court during the trial as evidence.

According to her, the prosecution team failed to establish the three main ingredients of rape, which she listed as penetration, sexual intercourse and lack of consent.

In her opinion, penetration must be related to the person of the accused.

“The police never conducted a thorough investigation before charging the accused in court.

“The prosecution’s case is devoid of evidence, and in a criminal case, the plaintiff has the obligation to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“I found no reason to summon the accused to appear to defend himself. None of the defense attorney’s requests are granted.

“The case is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence and the defendant is dismissed and acquitted,” Judge Itueli ruled.

DAILY POST recalls that the accused was on October 5, 2021, accused of sexually assaulting a final-year student of the department in his office.

Due to the allegation, an inquiry was sent to the lecturer and a ban was imposed until the case was finally resolved in court by the university management.

He was also arrested and charged with sexual assault, but was released on bail under strict conditions.