Metro
‘It’s A Clear Set Up’ – Court Says, Discharges UNIBEN Lecturer, Dr. Ekundayo, Of Alleged Rape, Three Years After
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.
READ ALSO: Military, NEMA Comb Sea For Crashed Helicopter’s Passengers
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.
READ ALSO: Helicopter Conveying NNPCL Workers Crashes In Rivers
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.
READ ALSO: Unpaid Salaries: Intervene In Welfare Issues Bedeviling Us, Usen Poly Workers Appeal To Obaseki
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
Suspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
Kidnappers have abducted 18 passengers along the Benin-Akure highway, near Obarenren village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The kidnappers were said to have fired sporadically before taking their victims into the bush.
Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident in Benin on Monday.
READ ALSO:Senate Backs Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Informants, Others
Ikoedem, while stating that a joint security operation had launched a manhunt for the abductors, added that a “massive bush combing led to the rescue of 11 victims.”
The PPRO, who said efforts were on to rescue other victims, noted: “The incident happened last Saturday. The passengers were in a 18-seater Big Joe bus. We have been combing the bush in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
“No Arrest has been made yet.”
Metro
NDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo
Operatives the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested a 44-year-old suspected drug trafficker, Ohiomah Igbafe, at Uroe community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The command also seized 457 kilograms of skunk cannabis concealed at the suspect’s hideout
in the operation that took place on December 9, 2025,
The State Commander of the anti-narcotic agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in a press statement said: “The suspect was found in possession of 15 bags of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 457 kilograms, in addition to a separate sack containing four kilograms of cannabis seeds.”
He described the arrest as a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the state.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Suspected Drug Baron, Seizes Over 14,000kg Skunk In Osun
He said: “The operation reflects our undying commitment to the eradication of drug trafficking within Edo State. The quantity of illegal drugs seized in this raid represents a serious threat to public health and safety. This level of success encourages us to continue to confront drug cartels relentlessly.”
He added that the agency would not relent in its efforts to dismantle criminal drug networks, warning that offenders would be pursued without mercy.
“We want to send a clear message that drug traffickers and their collaborators have no safe harbour in Edo State.”
Metro
Edo Assembly Declares Okpebholo’s Projects Unprecedented
The Edo State House of Assembly has described projects embarked upon by Governor Monday Okpebholo as unprecedented in the history of Edo State.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, made the assertion when he led members of the legislature on a comprehensive oversight inspection of several ongoing infrastructural projects.
Other lawmakers on the oversight team included Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.
Hon. Osamwonyi, who spoke during an assessment tour of the Sapele Road Flyover, said the lawmakers were in the field to verify the progress of work and ensure that funds appropriated by the Assembly were being judiciously utilised.
According to him, the flyover represents a milestone for Benin City and reflects the governor’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
READ ALSO:MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki
He emphasised that unlike past administrations where funds were approved with no tangible results, the Okpebholo-led government had demonstrated transparency and visible delivery.
“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker added that the Assembly had earlier inspected the Ramat Park Flyover on Monday, noting similar levels of progress.
“This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong,” he said.
At Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road and Ekae Road—where a 14-kilometre road and concrete drainage network is underway—Hon. Osamwonyi described the construction efforts as unprecedented, expressing astonishment at the level of work done within a short period.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa
He insisted that the legislature does not play politics with accountability and would speak the truth at all times.
“If Governor Okpebholo was not doing well, we would say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people.l”, he noted.
He further remarked that despite limited financial resources, the governor had delivered projects many believed were impossible.
The Deputy Speaker recalled that several communities, particularly in Ogheghe, previously suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible, even for motorcycles.
“But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.
READ ALSO:Edo Assembly Declines To Confirm Ex-lawmaker As commissioner Over DSS Petition
According to him, contractors handling the projects confirmed that although the initial timeline was two years, work would likely be completed within one year and six months due to the speed of implementation.
“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he added.
Hon. Osamwonyi stressed that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum.
“This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he said.
The oversight team also visited the 5.86-kilometre road project linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, where the engineer handling the project reported that 4.3 kilometres of drainage had already been completed.
READ ALSO:
The inspection revealed rapid progress across multiple sites.
Commissioner for Works, Engr. Felix Akhabue, who accompanied the legislators, said the governor had given strict directives to monitor all contractors and ensure adherence to specifications.
He confirmed that the Ministry of Works had been following the Adesuwa Junction Flyover construction “bumper to bumper.”
He noted that the House of Assembly’s involvement strengthens accountability.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards
“The lawmakers did not just appropriate funds; they want to see how the money is being used.
“Their presence keeps us on our toes because Edo people are waiting for the completion of these projects,” he said.
Akhabue added that although the flyover was originally scheduled for completion in 24 months, the current pace suggests that delivery would be earlier than projected.
He commended the contractors for adherence to standards and thanked the Assembly for its active oversight role.
-
News9 hours agoI’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro
-
Metro8 hours agoSuspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
-
News7 hours agoOPINION: Time For The Abachas To Rejoice
-
News17 hours agoEdo Assembly Charges Contractor Handling Ekekhuan Road To Accelerate Work
-
News8 hours agoOkpebholo Pledges To Clear Inherited Salary Arrears, Gratuities At AAU
-
News8 hours agoEx-Nigerian Amb., Igali, To Deliver Keynote Address As IPF Holds Ijaw Media Conference
-
Metro8 hours agoNDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo