A lecturer in Lagos is on trial for suspected student rape.
In the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, which is chaired by Justice Ramon Oshodi, Kolawole Muyiwa, a part-time lecturer in the Department of Primary Education and Early Childhood Development at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos, appeared on Monday to stand trial for the alleged rape of a student.
On February 6, 2023, the lecturer was arraigned by the Lagos State Government for the victim's alleged rape; he entered a not guilty plea.
The Lagos State Government has accused Muyiwa of rape, according to the prosecution's attorneys, B. T. Boye and I. D. Solarin.
The prosecution's attorney revealed that the alleged rape, which violates Section 260 of the Lagos State 2015 Criminal Law, was committed by Muyiwa on October 11, 2021, at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos State.
The 18-year-old victim, who was enrolled full-time in the Department of Primary Education at the time of the incident, allegedly made the decision to assist Muyiwa in recording test results at an office.
The defendant, Kolawole Muyiwa, told the court throughout the trial and cross-examination of the defense's first witness that he is a married father of children and that he had asked the prosecutrix to be in a relationship with him, something she reportedly agreed to.
I was coming to the college on October 11, 2021, between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m., to record and turn in scripts to the School of Part-Time Studies. I encountered Damilola when I arrived at the gate. When I asked her if she could record scores, she stated that she would be happy to assist me with carrying my luggage.
"I walked to the office where the key is kept, took it, and opened the door. We went into the office together, and I handed her the scripts to record. She informed me that she had a meeting, and I told her that she could return and record once the meeting was over. She complied. Most likely, they did not start, so she came back and I gave her (the scripts) to record, and she recorded them. They brought light, she was charging her phone and I asked her for a relationship and she accepted.
"On that specific day, other students arrived to turn in their projects, which I completed before departing for my Master's program at LASU."
"The HOD of Guidance and Counselling phoned me on October 13, 2021, and enquired as to if I knew this woman. The woman was my girlfriend, I informed her. She went on to inform me that I had been accused of raping her. I informed her that the woman had accepted my invitation to go out and that I had not raped her.
He added that after returning from his burial trip to Ilesha, the head of primary education contacted to inform him that the police were searching for him. "I explained why I said it, and I was told it was about Damilola’s matter, that I raped her. I told him that the HOD of Guidance and Counselling had called my attention to the case, and I had told her everything,” he volunteered.
"I called my HOD, the HOD of Early Childhood Education," he said. My lawyer and I went to the police together after I contacted him. Before they charged the case in court, I was held there for five days. I faced accusations of sexual assault.
Damilola was a full-time student in the Department of Primary Education on the day I first met her. After entering the office together, we spent ten to twenty minutes by ourselves. I then discussed a relationship with her once she had completed taping. a relationship akin to friendship. I requested a connection with her so that we could spend time together, communicate, connect, and hear her opinions. Thus, we could talk whenever she had a problem, not a sexual relationship and she accepted.”
"I'm married and have kids. In our relationship, I expected to support her whenever she encountered scholastic difficulties. The only times I saw her were on October 11, 2021, and October 13, 2021, when I informed the HOD of Guidance and Counselling that she was my girlfriend. The day I was reported and the day she took my scores.
Justice Oshodi subsequently postponed the case until January 13, 2025.