Metro

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

Published

11 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

Why DSS Questioned Me Over Viral Threat Video — Lagos NURTW Boss

Published

1 hour ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mustapha Olanrewaju, popularly known as Sego, has explained why he was grilled by the Department of State Services following a viral video in which he was accused of making threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

In the clip, Sego was heard speaking in Yoruba, saying: “Anyone who makes any mistake in 2027 will be dealt with. Let it be known: the APC is your party. Those who don’t comply will face us.”

The video sparked outrage online, with critics accusing him of incitement and political intimidation.

Speaking after his session with the DSS, Sego said, “Good afternoon everyone. My name is Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Olanrewaju. I have been with the DSS since morning. I just left them around after 7. They just released me on bail.”

He insisted the claims against him were false. “I heard they invited me because of a propaganda that I insulted some people or something like that. So that is a fake rumour. What I was talking about was national union (NURTW),” he said.

Sego argued that rival groups within the union were behind the controversy. “We all know that every profession has its rival. As politicians have rivals, mechanics have rivals too. So it is the NURTW rivals that don’t want my work in Lagos to be successful. So they are looking for means to scatter it and cause trouble. They are the ones I was talking to and letting the world and the DSS and the Police know that NURTW is a peaceful union.”

He described the allegations as propaganda. “It is the naysayers that want to be peddling false rumours. So what the DSS have been grilling me about is not what it seems. It is just propaganda. I concentrate on my work. You can be part of any association. We all know the party we want to associate with.”

Sego added that the invitation was aimed at distracting him from his duties. “Since morning, I am supposed to be in my office but I have been with the DSS. This is an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW in Lagos,” he said.

The NURTW have been accused in past elections of being used to intimidate opponents or sway voters, allegations the union has consistently denied.

During the 2019 and 2023 polls, clashes linked to transport union factions raised concerns about the use of motor park leaders in political disputes.

Metro

Youths Beat Ondo Monarch, Wife, Son During Festival

Published

1 hour ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Crisis erupted in Idogun community, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Friday as some irate youths allegedly beat up the town’s monarch, Oba Moses Bakare, his wife, and his son, identified as Victor.

The incident, which occurred during the annual New Yam festival, left the monarch injured while his wife was reportedly beaten and stripped half-naked by the angry youths.

Though the cause of the attack could not be immediately ascertained, a resident of the town, who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal, said some residents had long been at loggerheads with the monarch.

The source stated, “The angry youths really assaulted the monarch and his wife and son. We don’t know what caused it but we know that some youths in the community don’t like the Oba; we don’t know why.

“If not the swift intervention of security operatives, the matter would have degenerated to a full-blown crisis in the town.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, told PUNCH Online that an investigation had commenced.

“The case is under investigation and we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” the PPRO stated.

Metro

Police Arrest Officer, UNIPORT Student Over Cult-related Violence

Published

2 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered firearms and ammunition during a signing-out ceremony for final-year students at the University of Port Harcourt.

In a press release signed on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the command said the suspects, a police officer and a student, were getting ready for clash with rival cultists before their arrest.

Iringe-Koko said, “On September 26, 2025, at about 1600hrs, during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at the University of Port-Harcourt, the University’s Internal Security team confronted a suspected cult member , Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill ‘m’ attached to the Elimgbu Division and a 200-Level Biomedical Technology undergraduate student of the University, Ifeanyi Israel ‘m’ in anticipation of a clash with rival Cultists on campus.”

Both suspects were taken into custody and searched, the statement added.

During the initial search, the PPRO said weapons, including pistols, ammunition, and axes, were recovered.

“A subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe, by the operatives, resulted in the recovery of the following additional exhibits: one (1) locally made pistol and two (2) machetes,” she added.

The command said the suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody as an in-depth investigation is underway to determine the full extent of their involvement and identify any accomplices.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reiterated the force’s commitment to maintaining peace.

He warned that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State” and urged the public to report suspicious activity to security agencies.”

PUNCH Online recalls that the Rivers Police Command last week also arrested a security guard simply identified as Godday over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl in the Mothercat axis of Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt.

The suspect was said to have been arrested last Tuesday by officers of the Amadi Police Division in partnership with security personnel of another bank adjacent to the scene of the crime.