Professor David Ogbonna of Rivers State University was charged yesterday with unlawful and sexual assault of a female student by the Rivers State Police Command.
Ogbonna was charged in front of Rivers State Magistrate's Court Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon.
The accusation reads:
“You Professor David Ogbonna on May 16, 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 female, 29 by inserting your manhood into her vagina, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 360 of the criminal code CAP 37 Vol.11 of laws of Rivers State, Nigeria 1999.”
However, the accused entered a not guilty plea to the accusation. However, after the defendant entered a plea, defense council Higher King petitioned the court to grant the prisoner bail based on self-recognition in light of his social standing.
However, Emi Jim George, who was representing the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Rivers State section, objected to the application on the grounds that the victim's life was allegedly in danger.
After hearing from the parties, Chief Magistrate Poromon granted the accused bail in the amount of N2 million with a guarantor who must reside in the magisterial area and adjourned the trial date to July 20.
