The UNILAG lecturer rape trial has begun at a Lagos State High Court, where a 20-year-old student gave detailed testimony alleging sexual assault by a senior academic. The proceedings mark a significant moment in a case that has drawn public attention to accountability within Nigerian universities.
The student appeared before Justice Oyindamola Ogala in Ikeja and testified as the first prosecution witness. The Lagos State Government is prosecuting Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a 53-year-old lecturer, on charges of rape and sexual assault.
According to her testimony, the events that led to the UNILAG lecturer rape trial began on August 21, 2025, during an examination. She said the lecturer approached her while she was seated and later asked her to visit his office after the exam. She attempted to meet him twice that day but did not find him available.
The following day, August 22, she encountered him again near her faculty after completing another exam. He reportedly asked her to wait, and they proceeded together to his office. She described the office as isolated, with no windows and no administrative staff present.
While inside, two other students briefly entered but left after the lecturer dismissed them. Shortly afterward, the witness told the court that the situation escalated. She stated that he instructed her to close the door, then allegedly forced her onto a couch and assaulted her.
She said the incident forms the basis of the UNILAG lecturer rape trial, recounting that the defendant allegedly touched her inappropriately and forced himself on her. The witness further testified that after the incident, he made promises regarding her academic progress and collected her contact details.
The student told the court that she left the office in distress and immediately confided in a friend. Together, they decided to report the incident. She first approached a lecturer in her department, who then contacted her uncle, also a lecturer, before they escalated the matter to the head of department.
According to her account, the head of department questioned the lack of recorded evidence and suggested that the matter be dropped. However, her uncle insisted on pursuing the complaint further. They subsequently reported the case to the university’s Servicom office and proceeded to the medical centre for examination and treatment.
As the UNILAG lecturer rape trial progressed, the witness explained that the case moved beyond the university. She reported the incident to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which referred her to the police. Authorities later transferred the case to the Gender Unit for investigation.
She also told the court that individuals connected to the defendant later attempted to initiate a settlement. However, the legal process continued, leading to the current trial.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about how institutions handle allegations of sexual misconduct. It also underscores the importance of clear reporting channels and independent investigation processes. Legal experts note that cases such as the UNILAG lecturer rape trial test both institutional accountability and the broader justice system.
The court has adjourned proceedings until April 27, 2026, when cross-examination of the witness will begin. As the trial continues, observers will watch closely to see how the evidence is assessed and how the legal process unfolds.
