A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted Prof. David Ogbonna a lecturer with the Rivers State University over allegations of indecently assaulting a 20-year-old student, Praise Ndamati of the department of Microbiology Department.
Miss Ndamati had in 2022 dragged the Prof. David Ogbonna – a lecturer with the Microbiology Department to court for allegedly sexually assaulting her in his office.
Delivering judgement today, Chief Magistrate Menenem Poromon said miss Ndamati failed to provide substantial evidence to prove her case beyond reasonable doubts, including failing to provide her friend which she said was her witness.
Chief Magistrate Poromon also blamed the prosecution counsel for not carrying out due diligence in prosecuting the matter.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, one of the lead counsels to Prof David Ogbonna, Emma Okah described the judgement as welcomed.
Okah also said they would convey the judgement to the school authority for the purpose of reinstating the lecturer who has been on half salary.
