The Rivers State Police Command has arraigned a professor of Environmental Biology at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor David Ogbonna, on allegations of unlawful and indecent sexual assault of a female student.
Professor David Ogbonna was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Menenen .F.Poromon of Magistrate Court 13 .
The charge sheet read that as follows: “That you, Professor David Ogbonna on 16th day of May, 2022 at Rivers State University campus, Oroworukwo in Obio/Akpor Magisterial District but triable in Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully and indecently assault a ‘f’ 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”.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The lead defense lawyer, O.C. Higher King, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognizance considering his status in the society.
Emi Jim George, the lead 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 Chief Magistrate, Poromon after listening to arguments of both lawyers, granted the accused bail in like sum of 2 million Naira and that the surety must be residing in the Magisterial District.
The case was subsequently adjourned to July 20, 2022.
