A Nigerian-born basketball player and student at Jacksonville State University in the United States, Daniel Adegboyega, has been arrested and charged with first-degree rape.
Adegboyega, 21, is accused of first-degree rape by forcible compulsion in connection with an alleged incident said to have occurred on July 29, according to court documents.
Authorities say the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is holding the Nigerian student-athlete without bond under Aniah’s Law. Jail records also indicate that he is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Following his arrest, Adegboyega’s profile was removed from the Jacksonville State University men’s basketball team website. Before transferring to Jacksonville State, he played collegiate basketball for the University of South Florida (USF). The USF athletics website identifies him as a native of Lagos, Nigeria, who played high school basketball in Iowa.
Reacting to the development, Jacksonville State University’s Assistant Athletic Director, Donnie Smith, confirmed that the player has been suspended indefinitely from the men’s basketball team.
“We are aware of the arrest. In response, the individual has been suspended from the men’s basketball team. Because the matter did not occur on campus and remains under active investigation by the Jacksonville Police Department, questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Jacksonville Police Department,” Smith said in a statement.
The Jacksonville Police Department is continuing its investigation into the case, while no trial date has yet been announced.
