LAGOS — Counsel to Dr. Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a lecturer at University of Lagos accused of raping a 20-year-old student, Finyinfoluwa Owonifari, Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), has accused the alleged victim of falsely implicating his client.
Ademola-Bello made the allegation during the cross-examination of the complainant at the Lagos State High Court on Monday.
During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that inconsistencies in the witness’s testimony suggested that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his client’s reputation.
The counsel also questioned why the complainant allegedly destroyed a key piece of evidence in the case, adding that some of her responses contradicted her earlier statements.
When asked to identify a photograph of the alleged crime scene, the witness said she could not recognise it, although she claimed the office had no window.
The senior advocate further questioned her about statements she made at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, which she confirmed making on September 2, 2025. She also acknowledged making two separate statements at the Bariga Police Station on August 28, 2025.
The statements were tendered before the court and admitted as exhibits without objection from the prosecution.
The defence also questioned the complainant about the clothes she wore on the day of the alleged incident, asking whether she had earlier told the police she wore black trousers and a short-sleeved multicoloured shirt on August 28.
She explained that when she visited the medical centre on August 22, 2025, the doctor only conducted a swab test and prescribed medication without carrying out further examinations.
The witness stated that she reported the incident to Dr. Abu, who subsequently contacted her uncle, adding that she reached out to him because he was a lecturer in her department.
When asked whether she had any personal relationship with Dr. Abu, she replied in the negative.
Meanwhile, she had previous phone conversations with Dr Abu earlier on that day as revealed by the call log she provided to the police despite testifying that she had only called Dr Abu for the first time when she reported the incident.
When asked how she got Dr Abu’s phone number, she said that the number was provided in class to everyone
Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25 for further proceedings.
