The judgement in the case of the rape and assault of a 20-year-old female student at Rivers State University (RSU) by a suspended lecturer, Professor David Ogbonna, has been scheduled for September 25th, 2023.
Professor Ogbonna was initially charged by the Rivers State Police Command with rape and sexual assault of the student, who is enrolled in the Department of Micro-Biology at RSU. However, the Rivers State government expressed its intention to take over the prosecution of the case.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, which are punishable under Section 360 of the criminal code, CAP 37 of the laws of Rivers State, Nigeria, 1999. Despite this, Professor Ogbonna was granted bail.
During the hearing on Thursday, it was announced that the presiding Chief Magistrate, Poromon Menenen, was absent. In light of this, the parties involved were given the opportunity to select a new date for the judgement.
Both parties reached an agreement to reconvene on September 25th for the judgement to be delivered.
