After three years of prosecution and suspension, an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Friday, discharged and acquitted a Lecturer with the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Dr. Omowumi Labode Steven of alleged sexual assault of a female student of the University.

The court ruled that the prosecution was not able to prove its case of sexual assault and alleged rape.

Dr Steven, popularly known as “Dr Bode Steve Ekundayo” is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Literature of the university and he was accused of sexually assaulting a final-year female student of the department in his office on October 5, 2021.

The university authority issued him a query and banned him from the school pending the determination of the case in court.

Ruling on the Suit marked B/CD/8CV/22 yesterday, Justice (Mrs.), Mary Itsueli, said that the prosecution team failed to prove their case against the accused.

Justice Itsueli upheld the no-case submission filed by the defence counsel and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr Osagie Obayuwana and maintained that the evidence of the PW 1, that is the Prosecution Witness, Miss Anita Efosa was not corroborated with the evidence of the remaining five prosecution witnesses.

The Judge asserted that even if anyone was to believe the claims of the alleged victim at their face value, there is no substantial required proof or evidence whatsoever to establish sexual intercourse or rape.

The judge also maintained that the prosecution team further failed to tender the University Health Centre Medical Test Report as an exhibit to the court during the trial in addition to the fact that the Report from Vivian Centre which was conducted a day after the alleged incident and tendered as evidence failed to scientifically show the evidence or proofs of rape.

Itsueli maintained that the prosecution team could not establish the three main ingredients of rape which she listed to be penetration, sexual intercourse and no consent, adding that the penetration must be linked with the defendant and telltale signs of rape have to be shown in the medical report and the scene of the alleged crime. These were not established in any way, she said.

Justice Itsueli also relied on the investigation by the Police and Investigation Officers (IPO) who examined both the accused and alleged victims physically and visited the scene of the alleged rape.

According to the jurist, the Police report stated that there were no bruises on her body, no torn clothes and the office of the defendant said to have been broken into to rescue the girl was intact

Justice Itsueli averred that “the prosecution case is bereft of evidence. In a criminal case, the claimant is required to prove his/her case beyond all reasonable doubt. I found no reason to call the defendant to enter the dock for his defence. The No-Case Submission of the defence counsel is hereby upheld.

“The case is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence and the accused is discharged and acquitted”, Justice Itsueli ruled.

The federal government plans to upgrade the colleges of forestry in Ibadan and Jos to degree-awarding institutions.

Lawal Balarabe, the minister of environment, spoke at the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan, Oyo state on Thursday.

He was at the college for an event marking the institution’s 85th anniversary.

Balarabe said the college has produced experts who have played significant roles in policy-making over the last eight decades.

Represented by the conservator-general of National Park Services Ibrahim Goni, the minister said the government is committed to environmental protection and sustainable development.

He said the federal government looks to invest in programmes that support forestry education and research initiatives.

“This is why plans are ongoing to upgrade the Federal College of Forestry Ibadan and Jos into degree-awarding institutes,” he said.

“Together, we can develop policies that promote sustainable practices while ensuring and securing the livelihood of communities which depend on forestry.”

In his remarks, Bayo Lawal, the deputy governor of Oyo, pledged support to all federal establishments in the state.

Zacharia Yaduma, the DG of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), said the college was established in 1939 to train middle-level manpower.

Yaduma said the college had in over eight decades trained more than 10,000 students in forestry and agriculture-related courses.

“This manpower is for the forestry and agriculture sub-sector of the economy. Now, some of them are occupying high-ranking positions in international organisations,” he said.

Femi Otedola has donated N3.7 billion towards the construction of phase 2 of the engineering faculty building at Augustine University in Epe Lagos.

The entrepreneur, who is the chancellor of the catholic university, said the project is set to be completed within 12 months.

Otedola spoke at the 6th convocation ceremony of Augustine University on Tuesday.

The convocation was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, religious leaders, and university officials.

In his address, Otedola honoured the academic and character development of the university’s graduating class.

He emphasised the institution’s commitment to excellence.

Otedola highlighted Augustine University’s vision to foster both intellectual and moral growth as encapsulated in its motto.

He noted the importance of producing graduates who combine technical proficiency with ethical leadership, urging the new graduates to carry these values into the world.

Otedola thanked the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for their role in shaping the graduates.

He expressed his desire to see Augustine University emerge as a centre of excellence for engineering studies.

The chancellor’s donation of N3.7 billion follows the completion of phase 1 of the engineering faculty building also funded by him.

The new phase 2 project, he said, is expected to further enhance the university’s capacity to train future engineers.