An Edo State High Court in Benin City, on Friday, discharged and acquitted University of Benin lecturer Dr. Omowumi Labode Steven, who faced charges of alleged sexual assault involving a female student.
Dr. Steven, commonly known as ‘Dr. Bode Steve Ekundayo,’ is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Literature at UNIBEN. He was accused of assaulting a final-year student in his office on October 5, 2021. Following the accusation, UNIBEN’s management issued him a formal query and placed him on suspension, pending the court’s final ruling.
After his arrest, Dr. Steven was arraigned for the alleged offense and granted bail under strict conditions. However, after over three years of legal proceedings, the High Court cleared him, stating that the evidence presented was insufficient for conviction.
In the case, referenced as B/CD/8CV/22, Justice Mary Itsueli emphasized that the prosecution failed to establish the charges against Dr. Steven. The defense, led by former Edo State Attorney-General Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, argued a no-case submission, which the judge upheld, highlighting a lack of corroboration between the primary complainant’s statement and testimonies of other witnesses.
Justice Itsueli further noted that critical evidence, such as a medical report from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), was not submitted by the prosecution. The judge stated that to prove assault, elements such as penetration, sexual intercourse, and absence of consent must be directly linked to the defendant, which the prosecution could not substantiate.
The court also criticized the police for what was described as an insufficient investigation before proceeding with the case. “The prosecution case is bereft of evidence, and in criminal matters, the burden is on the claimant to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Itsueli remarked.
Justice Itsueli concluded, “I found no reason to call the defendant to enter the dock for his defense. No-case submission of the defense counsel is hereby upheld. The case is hereby dismissed for lack of evidence, and the accused is discharged and acquitted.”
