Metro

‘It’s A Clear Set Up’ – Court Says, Discharges UNIBEN Lecturer, Dr. Ekundayo, Of Alleged Rape, Three Years After

Published

10 months ago

October 25, 2024

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, on Friday, discharged and acquitted a Lecturer of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Dr. Olabode Ekundayo, who had been standing trial on alleged rape of Miss Anita Adesuwa Efosa, a twenty-one (21) year old, 400 Level female student of the said University.

The lecturer, popularly known as “Dr. Bode Steve Ekundayo”, had been successfully assessed for an Associate Professor, in the Department of English and Literature, University of Benin, before he was accused of raping Anita Efosa in his office at ‘Faculty Complex’ in broad daylight light on 5th. October, 2021.

The scandal went viral, and consequently, the accused was issued a query and placed on interdiction pending the investigation of the case by the Police and final determination in court.

The university don was arrested, detained for several weeks and arraigned for alleged rape, but was later granted bail on stringent conditions.

However, after over three years of the legal battle, the High Court in Benin today, October 24th, 2024, discharged and acquitted the accused, citing lack of substantial proofs and evidence against the accused.

Ruling on the Suit marked B/CD/8CV/22, Justice (Mrs.) Mary Itsueli, stressed that the prosecution team failed completely to prove their case against the accused beyond all reasonable doubts.

The Judge asserted that even if anyone was to believe the claims of the alleged victim in their face value, there was no substantial required proofs or evidence whatsoever to establish sexual intercourse or rape.

Justice Itsueli summarised the outcomes of the examinations and cross examinations of all the witnesses, including Principal Witness (PW) 1, Miss Anita Efosa, the alleged victim, and then upheld the no-case submission filed by the defense counsel and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, maintaining that the evidence of the PW 1 (the nominal complainant) was not corroborated with the submissions of the other five prosecution witnesses.

The judge also maintained that the prosecution team further failed to tender the University Health Centre Medical Test Report as exhibit to the court during the trial because the result and findings therein obviously vitiated and negated their claims

In addition, Justice Itsueli held that the Report from Vivian Centre which was conducted a day after the alleged incident and tendered as evidence failed to scientifically show the evidence or proofs of rape.

She further held that the Vivian Medical Doctor who presented the report admitted before the court that there was no way sexual intercourse or rape could be established after 24 hours and so based his findings predominantly on the alleged victims oral history and claims.

Justice Itsueli maintained that the prosecution team could not establish the three main ingredients of rape which she listed to be penetration, sexual intercourse and no consent, adding that the penetration must be linked with the defendant and telltale signs of rape have to be shown in the medical report and the scene of alleged crime. These were not established in any way.

Justice Itsueli also relied on the indepth investigation by the Police and Investigation Officers (IPO) who examined both the accused and alleged victims physically and visited the scene of alleged rape.

According to the erudite jurist, the Police report stated clearly that there was no bruises on their bodies, no torn clothes and the office of the defendant said to have been broken into to rescue the girl is yet intact.

The Judge concluded that the whole thing was a clear set up, as in the Police report.

Citing plethora of legal authorities, Justice Itsueli averred that “the prosecution case is bereft of evidence. In a criminal case, the claimant is required to prove his/her case beyond all reasonable doubts. I found no reason to call the defendant to enter the dock for his defense. The No-Case Submission of the defense counsel is hereby upheld.

“The case is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence and the accused is discharged and acquitted”, Justice Itsueli ruled.

Metro

Edo Govt Demolishes Building Owned by Suspected Cultist

Published

2 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Governor Monday Okpebholo led-Edo State Government has demolished a house belonging to a suspected cultist.

The building was said to have been used for initiations in Egbaen community along Upper Siluko Road , Egor Local Government Area.

The building was said to belong to a suspected Maphite cult leader, and was said to be used as a base for cult initiation rites and ritual practices.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary ( CPS) to the governor, Fred Itua in Saturday said the operation was executed by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, working in concert with various security agencies and community stakeholders.

The statement said the, coordinator of the Edo State Security Squad, Idemudia Noah confirmed that the building was linked a leader of the Maphite cult group, who had allegedly converted the bungalow into a shrine and meeting point for illegal activities.

“We were here some days ago to seal up this building following allegations of cultism, ritual practices and other nefarious activities of suspected Maphite cult leader and his members,” the Edo State Security Squard said in the statement.

The squad leader also disclosed that despite the earlier sealing of the premises, intelligence reports confirmed that the suspects resumed their clandestine operations under the cover of darkness. Their continued defiance prompted the government’s decision to demolish the structure.

“We got credible information that the suspected cult leader Marvellous Adetarami and his members still gathered to have their meetings in this sealed bungalow, where the horrible shrine was discovered,” he revealed.

He said, “Neighbours and community members are all joyous seeing the building pulled down, as they have lived in fear following the suspect’s activities.”

Metro

My Husband Fought, Abandoned Me Cos’ I’m Barren, Woman Tells Court

Published

9 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

A woman, Wasilat Saka, has pleaded with a Grade 1 Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja (Federal Capital Territory), to dissolve her marriage to her husband, Tajudeen Jimoh, over alleged abandonment and conflicting faith beliefs.

Wasilat told the court that she got married to Jimoh under Islamic Law on July 30, 2022, adding that their marriage did not produce any children.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she alleged that Jimoh, who claimed to be a Muslim, abandoned her for months shortly after they got married while refusing to perform necessary Islamic rites.

“My husband does not observe the five daily prayers and the Ramadan fast.

“We always quarrel and fight for these reasons.

“I beg the court to grant my request of divorce,” Wasilat said.

Jimoh was absent in court despite being served with the hearing notice.

The judge, Ibrahim Rufai, adjourned the case.

Metro

Our First Child Beat Me Blue And Black After My Wife Turned Them Against Me —Man

Published

9 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

…That was the easiest way I made him pay their fees —Wife

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has given judgment on a divorce suit brought before it by a man, Tajudeen, who dragged his wife, Kafayat, to court, accusing her of showing him no love or affection.

He added that she was troublesome and violent and that she refused to let him have peace of mind.

Tajudeen stated that Kafayat was defiant and never listened to him nor took instruction from him.

The plaintiff explained that the defendant was brutal and always sought every opportunity to fight and hurt him with any dangerous object within her reach.

He added that she refused that he give their children proper training, and that she turned them against him.

According to him, the eldest of their children beat him till he was almost unconscious in the presence of his wife and she saw nothing bad in it.

Tajudeen explained that Kafayat constantly came to his office to fight and disgrace him.

The plaintiff stated that he was fed up with his wife’s unruly behaviour and thus pleaded for divorce.

Kafayat refused that their union be dissolved, stating that she and her husband jointly built their house.

The defendant did not deny being defiant and in the habit of fighting her husband even in his office.

According to her, that was the only way she made her husband commit to his responsibilities in the home and, more importantly, pay their children’s school fees.

Tajudeen, in his evidence, said, “My wife and I got married under Islamic Law and I paid her bride price.

“My marriage to my wife is void of love and care. She made our home a hell to live in.

“I no longer have a say in our home because my wife is rebellious. She never listens to me nor takes orders from me. She would turn every argument between us into a fight.

“Kafayat being a violent person always hits me with dangerous objects within her reach. The scars on my body tell the story.

“Much worse is the fact that my wife refused that I train our children and always instigates them against me.

“The strain in the relationship between our children and me led to our eldest child beating me till I almost fainted.

“My wife was present at the scene and she neither restrained our son nor rebuked him.

“My wife is still not satisfied and would come to my office to fight and disgrace me.

“My lord, I have had enough of my wife and children’s waywardness and cannot take it any longer.

“I pray this honourable court to end our marriage and grant me custody of our children so that I can give them proper training.

“I also request an order restricting her from coming to my office to fight me.”

Kafayat in her response said: “What my husband said is not totally true.

“We met in 1997 and he impregnated me.

“I started living with him although no marital rites were carried out on my behalf. He in addition did not pay my bride price.

“My lord, I do not agree to divorce because we both contributed towards building the house we are living in.

“It is true that I fight him even in his office. I discovered that was the only way I could force him to be committed to his responsibilities in the home and especially paying our children’s school fees.”

Ruling, the court president, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, said there was no marriage to be dissolved since no customary marriage was held and no bride price was paid.