A 20-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos has told a Lagos court how a lecturer allegedly assaulted her in his office, as the trial of the accused begins.
The student, who testified as the first prosecution witness before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, gave a detailed and emotional account of the incident involving a lecturer identified as Samuel Ojogbo.
Alleged incident in lecturer’s office
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, the student said the incident occurred on August 22, 2025, at the university’s Akoka campus.
She told the court that the lecturer had approached her a day earlier during an examination and asked her to visit his office afterward. After unsuccessful attempts to meet him, she said they eventually went to his office together the following day.
Describing the setting, she said the office was located underground, without windows or administrative staff present.
According to her testimony, the situation escalated shortly after two other students who had briefly entered the office were asked to leave.
She alleged that the lecturer then forced himself on her.
Aftermath and reporting
The student said she left the office in distress and reported the incident to a friend, before taking further steps to escalate the matter.
She told the court that she initially reported the case within her department, but was met with scepticism and asked to provide evidence.
“The Head of Department asked if what I said was true and where the evidence was,” she said, adding that the lecturer denied the allegation when confronted.
Unsatisfied with the response, she said her family pushed for further action, leading to a formal complaint through the university’s complaint channels and subsequent referrals.
The case was later taken to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and then to the police for investigation.
She added that she underwent medical examinations and that the matter was eventually handled by the police gender unit.
Allegations of settlement attempts
The witness also told the court that there were attempts by individuals linked to the defendant to resolve the matter outside the legal process.
Trial continues
The Lagos State Government is prosecuting the case on a two-count charge of alleged rape and sexual assault.
The presiding judge, Oyindamola Ogala, adjourned proceedings until April 27, 2026, for cross-examination of the witness.
The case is expected to draw continued attention as it raises broader concerns about safety, accountability and reporting mechanisms within tertiary institutions.
