A Lagos High Court has postponed the high-profile trial of a University of Lagos (UNILAG) lecturer accused of sexually assaulting a student. The case will now be heard in January 2026.
Court Proceedings and Adjournment
Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja adjourned the matter on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The trial of Dr Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a senior lecturer in the Department of Finance, was pushed forward to January 21, 2026.
Dr Ojogbo, represented by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Ade Adedeji and Bidemi Bello, appeared in court for the hearing. Following arguments, the judge set the new date for the trial to commence.
Details of the Allegations
The case originated from a police report filed on August 28, 2025, by a 20-year-old 300-level student. She alleged that on August 22, 2025, around noon, the lecturer invited her into his office and forcefully raped her.
The victim subsequently received medical treatment at a hospital. In a supporting affidavit, Theresa Temidayo of the Gender Section, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, detailed the assault and requested the suspect's remand for rape and sexual assault under Sections 260 and 263(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Legal Journey and Bail Conditions
Dr Ojogbo was first arraigned on September 12, 2025, before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi at the Samuel Ilori Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos. The magistrate granted him bail set at N1.5 million with two sureties.
The bail conditions were stringent:
- One surety must be at least an associate professor at UNILAG.
- The other must be a recognized community leader.
Concerns Over Courtroom Conduct
The adjournment was not the only notable event. Observers in the courtroom expressed skepticism about the potential for a fair trial. They pointed to apparent fraternisation between the judge and the defence lawyers.
Witnesses noted that prolonged, familiar exchanges between the bench and the legal team could potentially influence the proceedings and undermine the case's integrity.
The adjournment means the quest for justice for the alleged victim extends further into 2026, as all parties prepare for the trial's start next January.
