From Douglas Blessing Port Harcourt
A 60 years old Professor David Ogbonna has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State over alleged rape.
The accused person who is a current lecturer with the Rivers State University (RSU) was arraigned in court yesterday, by the State Police command on allegations of unlawful and indecent sexual assault of a female student.
Prof Ogbonna was arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Menenen Poromon Esq of Magistrate Court 13 on a one count charge.
The matter was registered in suit number PMC /1037C/2022.
The count reads: “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 (name withheld) aged twenty 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”.
When the charge was read in court, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The led defence lawyer, Mr Higher King urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognizance considering his status in the society.
Emi George who led 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 trial Magistrate, Poromon after listening to arguments of the both lawyers in the matter, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20million and that the surety must be residing within the magisterial district.
The case was subsequently adjourned to July 28, 2022 for hearing.
