A 20-year-old student of the University of Lagos has given emotional testimony before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, detailing how her complaint of alleged rape by a lecturer was reportedly dismissed by a Head of Department, who allegedly asked her to “let it go” and questioned her lack of recorded evidence.
The Lagos State Government is prosecuting a 53-year-old lecturer, Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged rape and sexual assault.
Testifying before Justice Oyindamola Ogala as the first prosecution witness, the student recounted that the alleged incident occurred on August 22, 2025, at the university’s Akoka campus.
She told the court that the events began a day earlier during an examination when the lecturer allegedly asked her to visit his office afterward. She said she later met him in his office the following day after another exam, where the alleged assault occurred.
Describing the incident, she alleged that the lecturer pushed her onto a couch and forced himself on her inside his office, which she said was located underground and isolated.
The student further testified that after the alleged assault, the lecturer made promises regarding academic supervision and took copies of her exam documents.
She said she immediately reported the incident to a friend, and later to lecturers in her department, including her uncle who also teaches in the institution.
According to her, when the matter was taken to the Head of Department, she was questioned about evidence and was allegedly advised to let the issue go.
She further alleged that the HOD invited the lecturer, who denied the accusation, and later advised her and her uncle not to pursue the matter further.
The student said the case was later escalated to the university’s SERVICOM office, where she underwent medical procedures, before being referred to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and subsequently the police.
She also told the court that attempts were later made by the defendant’s associates to settle the matter out of court.
Justice Ogala adjourned the case until April 27, 2026, for cross-examination as proceedings continue.
