A 20-year-old female student at the University of Lagos on Monday maintained during cross-examination that she was sexually assaulted by her 53-year-old lecturer, Dr Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, in his basement office within the university premises.

The survivor, who testified in the ongoing trial of Ojogbo by the Lagos State Government, told the trial judge, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, that “the defendant pinned me down and raped me on that day.”

The state government had arraigned Ojogbo before the Lagos State Special Offences Court at Ikeja on a two-count charge of rape and sexual assault.

The prosecution, led by Ademola Azeez, informed the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on August 22, 2025, within the university premises.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendant engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse with the victim, an offence punishable under Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Ojogbo is also accused of sexual assault by allegedly touching the victim inappropriately, contrary to Section 263(1) of the law.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During cross-examination by defence counsel Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), the survivor was asked to identify a photo of the crime scene, but she stated she could not recognise it.

When the defence sought to introduce the photo as evidence, the judge ruled it could not be admitted because the victim could not speak to its relevance, noting that another witness could present it.

The senior counsel questioned her about statements she made at the Gender Unit of the Lagos Police Command, which she identified as being made on September 2, 2025.

She also confirmed making two statements at Bariga Police Station on August 27 and 28, 2025.

These statements were tendered to the court, and the prosecution did not object, leading to their admission as evidence.

The defence asked her about her clothing at the time of the incident, inquiring whether she had told the police she was wearing black trousers and a short-sleeved multicoloured shirt on August 28.

She responded that she couldn’t remember whether she washed her leggings the weekend after the incident, although she confirmed they were returned to her.

The defence suggested that if she had not washed the leggings, they could have contained evidence, implying she might have washed them to destroy evidence. She denied this.

She was also asked why she did not bring her underwear to the police; she replied that they didn’t ask for it.

She explained that on August 22, 2025, the doctor at the medical centre only performed a swab test and prescribed medication, without additional tests.

She reported the incident to Dr Abu, who then contacted her uncle, even though she explained she had called him because he is a lecturer in her department.

When asked whether she and Dr Abu had a personal relationship, she answered no.

The defence questioned whether her call records showed she spoke with Dr Abu that day, and she said no. However, she confirmed she provided the police with a picture of her call log.

She couldn’t remember who had called first between her and Dr Abu, but noted that Dr Abu’s number had been shared with her entire class.

Justice Ogala has adjourned the case to 25 May for further proceedings. (LEADERSHIP)