The police in Rivers State has arraigned one Professor David Ogbonna of the Rivers State University, RSU, on allegations of unlawful and indecent sexual assault of a female student.
He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon in Port Harcourt.
According to the charge sheet, “Professor David Ogbonna on 16th day of May, 2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oruworokwo in Obio/Akpor Magisterial District but triable in Port Harcourt Magisterial District did unlawfully and indecently assault a student aged twenty by inserting his manhood into the student sex organ 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 pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Counsel to the defendant, Higher King prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognition considering his status but was objected by Emi Jim-George , the lawyer holding brief for International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Rivers State branch citing threat to the life of the ‘victim’.
After listening to arguments by the counsels, Chief Magistrate Poromon granted the accused bail in the sum of 2 million naira with a sureties residing in the Magisterial District and adjourned the matter to July 20, 2022 for further adjudication.
