RSU Suspends Professor Over Rape

Rivers State University says it has suspended Prof. David N. Ogbonna, former Head of Department of Microbiology Department for alleged sexual offence.
The suspension is coming on the heels of sexual offences against a female student of his faculty, even as a Port Harcourt Chief Magisterate Court has admitted him to bail on the allegation.
He is currently before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court presided over by Chief Magistrate, Menenen Poromon after being accused by a 20-year-old female student of the department.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police command yesterday arraigned Professor David Ogbonna, of Rivers State University on allegations of unlawful and indecent sexual assault on a female student of the faculty.
Professor David Ogbonna was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Menenen..F.Poromon of Chief Magistrate Court 13.
The charge sheet read that: You Professor David Ogbonna on 16th day of May, 2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oruwokwo in Obio/Akpor Magisterial district but triable in Port Harcourt Magisterial district did unlawfully and indecently assault a ‘f’ 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 recognizance considering his status in the society.
Emi Jim George, lead 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 ‘ victim’.
The Chief Magistrate Poromon after listening to argument of 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.

By: Akujobi Amadi