Professor David Ogbonna of the Rivers State University was arraigned on Tuesday on allegations of unlawful and indecent sexual assault of a female student.
Ogbonna, according to the police, raped the female student on 16th day of May, 2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oruworukwo in Obio-Akpor LGA of Rivers State.
Ogbonna was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Menenen F.Poromon of Court 13, Port Harcourt on a one-count charge.
The charge against Ogbonna reads:”You Professor David Ogbonna on 16th day of May,2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oruworukwo in Obio-Akpor Magisterial district but triable in Port Harcourt Magisterial district did unlawfully and indecently assault a female aged 20 years by inserting your penis into her vagina thereby committed an offence punishable under section 360 of the criminal code CAP 37 Vol.11 of laws of Rivers State, Nigeria 1999.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The lead defence lawyer, O.C.Higher King, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognition considering his status in the society.
However, Emi Jim George, the lawyer holding watching brief for International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Rivers State branch urged the court not to grant the accused bail in view of alleged threat to the life of the female student he allegedly raped.
Chief Magistrate Poromon after listening to the arguments from both lawyers granted the accused bail in like sum of 2 million naira and that the surety must be residing in the Magisterial district.
The case was subsequently adjourned to July 20,2022.
