Benin City Following three years of prosecution and suspension, Dr. Omowumi Labode Steven, a lecturer at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), was dismissed and found not guilty on Friday by the Edo State High Court in Benin City of allegedly sexually assaulting a female student.

The prosecution’s allegations of sexual assault and alleged rape were found to be unproven by the court.

A senior lecturer in the university’s English and Literature department, Dr. Steven, also known as “Dr Bode Steve Ekundayo,” was charged on October 5, 2021, with sexually abusing a final-year female student in his office.

He received a question from the university administration, which also barred him from attending until the case was decided in court.

The prosecution team was unable to prove its case against the accused, according to Justice (Mrs.) Mary Itsueli’s ruling on the suit dated B/CD/8CV/22 yesterday.

Justice Itsueli maintained that the testimony of the prosecution witness, Miss Anita Efosa, was not supported by the testimony of the other five prosecution witnesses, and upheld the no-case submission submitted by the defence attorney and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana.

The judge claimed that there is absolutely no substantial proof or evidence needed to prove sexual contact or rape, even if one were to take the putative victim’s assertions at face value.

In addition to the fact that the Vivian Centre report, which was conducted a day after the alleged incident and presented as evidence, did not scientifically demonstrate the evidence or proofs of rape, the judge further held that the prosecution team had neglected to present the University Health Centre Medical Test Report as an exhibit to the court during the trial.

According to Itsueli, the prosecution team was unable to prove the three primary components of rape—penetration, sexual contact, and lack of consent. She also stated that the penetration had to be connected to the defendant and that the medical report and the scene of the alleged crime had to contain evidence of rape. “These were not in any way established,” she claimed.

Justice Itsueli also depended on the Police and inquiry Officers’ (IPO) inquiry, which involved visiting the place of the alleged rape and conducting physical examinations of the defendants and alleged victims.

The jurist claims that the police report showed that the girl had no injuries or ripped clothing, and that the defendant’s office, which was allegedly broken into to save her, was undamaged.

According to Justice Itsueli, “the prosecution case is bereft of evidence.” The claimant must establish their claims beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal proceeding. I didn’t see any justification for calling the defendant to the dock to defend himself. This upholds the defence counsel’s No-Case Submission.

Justice Itsueli declared, “The accused is discharged and acquitted, and the case is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence.”