Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Government has taken over the prosecution of the suspended Lecturer Professor David Ogbonna, who is standing trial for alleged rape of a 20 year female student in the premise of Rivers State University.
At the resumed sitting today, representative from office of Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Rivers State filed an application to the Court that the Ministry is taking over the prosecution of the matter.
The case was adjourned to August 15, 2022 by Chief Magistrate Poromon Menenen of Chief Magistrate court 13.
Recall that Professor David Ogbonna was arraigned first on June, 28, 2022 and he pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of rape.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The lead defence lawyer, O. C. Higher King, had urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self-recognisance, considering his status in society.
However, Emi George, lead lawyer for International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, Rivers State branch, urged the court not to grant the accused bail in view of an alleged ‘threat to the life of the victim.’
Chief Magistrate Poromon after listening to the arguments of both lawyers, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and that the surety must be residing in the magisterial district.