A 20-year-old student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja how a senior lecturer allegedly assaulted her in his office during an encounter that has led to criminal proceedings against him.
The defendant, identified as 53-year-old Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, is standing trial on a two-count charge of rape and sexual assault filed by the Lagos State Government.
The case, which is before Justice Oyindamola Ogala, resumed on Wednesday with the testimony of the first prosecution witness, the complainant, who gave a detailed account of the events leading to the allegation.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel A.O. Azeez, the witness narrated how the incident allegedly occurred on August 22, 2025, within the university’s Akoka campus.
Alleged Incident and Prior Encounter
The witness, while testifying in court, stated that the sequence of events began a day before the alleged assault, during an examination period.
According to her testimony, the defendant approached her during an exam session and engaged her briefly in conversation about the paper. She told the court that he later instructed her to visit his office after her examination.
She said she attempted to meet him twice on the following day but did not find him available. However, on August 22, after completing another examination, she reportedly encountered the lecturer on campus.
The student told the court that the lecturer signalled her to wait and later directed her to accompany him to his office, which she described as being located underground within the faculty building.
Events Inside the Lecturer’s Office
The witness informed the court that shortly after entering the office, two other students briefly came in seeking assistance regarding missed tests but were asked to leave.
She described the office as a secluded space without windows or a secretary, adding that this created a private setting for the interaction that followed.
She further testified that the door was not properly closed when the students left and that the lecturer instructed her to close it. It was at this point, she alleged, that she was physically assaulted.
While giving her account, the witness told the court that the defendant allegedly initiated inappropriate physical contact before forcibly assaulting her.
The court heard that she left the office immediately afterward in distress.
Reporting the Incident
The witness testified that she reported the incident almost immediately after leaving the lecturer’s office.
She said she first confided in a friend before reporting to a lecturer in her department, who subsequently contacted her uncle, also a lecturer at the university.
Following this, she said they proceeded to the Head of Department (HOD), where the matter was first formally discussed.
According to her testimony, the HOD questioned her account and requested evidence, including asking why she did not record the incident on her phone. She also alleged that the lecturer denied the accusation when contacted by the HOD.
The witness further told the court that they were advised to let the matter go and be more cautious in their interactions with lecturers.
Dissatisfied with the response, she said her family insisted on pursuing the matter further.
Medical Examination and Formal Complaints
The witness told the court that the matter was escalated to the university’s SERVICOM unit, after which she was taken to a medical facility for examination.
She further stated that she later reported the case to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), which referred her to the police.
According to her testimony, she was directed to Bariga Police Station and later referred to the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) for additional medical and forensic evaluation.
She added that the case was subsequently transferred to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command for further investigation.
Alleged Attempts at Settlement
The witness also told the court that after formal complaints had been made, there were alleged attempts by individuals connected to the defendant to initiate settlement discussions.
She stated that members of the defendant’s family and associates reached out requesting meetings to resolve the matter outside court proceedings.
However, she maintained that the case continued through the formal legal process.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
Following her testimony, Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until April 27, 2026, for cross-examination of the witness by the defence counsel.
The court is expected to continue hearing arguments and evidence as the prosecution seeks to establish its case against the defendant.
The Lagos State Government has continued to prosecute cases of sexual and gender-based violence under strengthened legal frameworks aimed at protecting victims and ensuring accountability in institutions, including tertiary education environments.
Broader Context
The case adds to ongoing national conversations around sexual misconduct in higher institutions, institutional response mechanisms, and survivor protection in Nigeria’s education sector.
Stakeholders in education and gender advocacy have repeatedly called for stronger reporting systems, improved survivor support services, and stricter enforcement of disciplinary and criminal laws in cases involving alleged abuse of power within academic institutions.
The outcome of the trial is expected to contribute to broader discussions on safeguarding students and addressing sexual misconduct allegations within Nigerian universities.
