24th August, 2012
JEHRO IBILEKE/Benin
Principal actors in the sex scandal that rocked Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in July 2010, involving a lecturer of the institution, Dr. Peter Otubu and a female student, Judith Ivie Okosun have been charged before Magistrate Margaret Iluobe of Ekpoma magistrate court.
Those charged before the court, Samson Ogbeide, Igbudu Samuel and Ojeabulu Eghosa Clement, all lecturers of AAU, and Judith Ivie Okosun, Juliet Obehi Okosun, Esther Ogbeide and Aruya Ohis William are standing trial on a seven-count charge of alleged stealing, threat to kill, unlawful detention and publication, false statement and assault punishable under the criminal procedure law.
Dr. Otubu, a Catholic Knight of Saint Mulumba (KSM), was publicly stripped in the residence of Judith, a 400-level engineering student on July 17 while allegedly attempting to have sex with her in exchange for a pass mark in her course.
Following this, authorities of AAU slammed an indefinite suspension on the lecturer for allegedly taking undue advantage of Judith. She was also suspended by the University which accused her of violating its matriculation oath.
In addition, Judith was detained for two days by the police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) while acting on the petition of the lecturer who accused the female student of kidnapping him.
When hearing in the criminal case preferred against three lecturers and four others began on Wednesday at the Ekpoma Magistrate Court, the accused persons were said to have conspired amongst themselves to commit felony with intent to steal and demand the sum of N500,000 from Engr. (Dr.) Peter Otubu with threat to kill or lynch him if he failed to comply, which made him to issue a cheque of N100,000 in faovur of one Judith Ivie Okosun; and offence punishable under sections 516, 406, 390(a) of the criminal code.
at which the 2nd prosecution witness (PW2), Aruna Abdulwahab testified before Magistrate Margaret Iluobe (Mrs.) of his ordeal in the case.
The accused persons were also alleged to have unlawfully detained Engr. (Dr.) Peter Otubu in the apartment of Judith Ivie Okosun against his will, as well recording and publishing the recorded video clips of the plaintiff (Engr. (Dr) Peter Otubu) on the internet with intent to injure him and exposed him to hatred; an offence punishable under sections 365, 573, 375, 126, 125(a), 355 of the criminal code.
Leading the prosecution, Assistant Legal Director, State Counsel, Anthony Okungbowa Esq and O.P. Ehigiamusoe (Mrs.) told the court it was ready with its witnesses and was prepared to go on. A.U. Osunde Esq and O. Enahoro represented the accused persons.
Testifying, PW2 (Aruna Abdulwahab) a 500 level Accounting student of AAU told the court that on 17th July 2010, he received a phone call from his fiancé urging him to come home.
On getting home, Abdulwahab said he met his fiancé in the next compound with people gathered around the apartment of the 1st accused person (Judith Ivie Okosun).
He explained that he saw the plaintiff (Engr. (Dr.) Otubu) stripped in Judith’s apartment, as she dragged him within her room and made calls across to people to come that the plaintiff was in her possession.
Hearing in the case continues.