An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has discharged and acquitted Dr. Omowumi Labode Steven, a lecturer at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), of allegations of sexual assault on a female student.
The senior lecturer, known as “Dr. Bode Steve Ekundayo” from the Department of English and Literature, was accused of assaulting a final-year student in his office on October 5, 2021. Following the accusation, he was placed on interdiction by the university pending the case outcome.
The trial, which spanned over three years, concluded with Justice Mary Itsueli ruling in favor of Dr. Steven. Justice Itsueli highlighted that the prosecution failed to present sufficient proof, stating, “The prosecution case is bereft of evidence, and in a criminal case, the claimant is required to prove his/her case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The judge cited a lack of corroborating evidence from prosecution witnesses and noted the absence of a medical report from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, which had not been tendered as evidence. In her ruling, Justice Itsueli emphasized that the prosecution failed to prove essential elements of the alleged crime, including penetration, sexual intercourse, and lack of consent.
“I found no reason to call the defendant to enter the dock for his defense,” she concluded, upholding the no-case submission filed by the defense and dismissing the case due to insufficient evidence.
