Kehinde Fajobi
Kolawole Muyiwa, a part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos, appeared in court on Monday to face charges of allegedly raping a student.
The trial, presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, stems from an incident reported to have taken place on October 11, 2021.
Muyiwa, who pleaded not guilty when first arraigned on February 6, 2023, is being prosecuted by the Lagos State Government under Section 260 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (2015), which addresses rape.
The prosecution, led by B.T. Boye and I.D. Solarin, stated that the victim was 18 years old at the time and a full-time student in the Department of Primary Education. The incident allegedly occurred in Muyiwa’s office when the student, Damilola, had offered to help him record scores.
During cross-examination, Muyiwa, who is married with children, explained his version of events. He admitted to asking Damilola for a relationship but insisted it was non-sexual.
“On October 11, 2021, at about 9:30 to 10:00 in the morning, I met Damilola at the gate of the college. She greeted me and offered to help carry my bag. I asked if she could help record scores, and she agreed. We went to the office together, and I gave her the scripts to record, which she did,” he recounted.
Muyiwa continued, “After she left for a meeting, she returned, and I asked her for a relationship. She accepted. While we were there, other students came in to submit their projects, and I attended to them. Later, I left for my Master’s programme at LASU.”
He denied the rape allegations, saying that two days later, the Head of the Department of Guidance and Counselling called him regarding the accusation.
“I told her that the lady was my girlfriend, and that I had asked her out, but I didn’t rape her,” Muyiwa told the court.
He further narrated how he was informed that the police were looking for him.
“I was told it was about Damilola’s matter—that I raped her. I told them I had already explained the situation to the HOD of Guidance and Counselling. I then contacted my lawyer, and we went to the police station together. I was detained for five days before being charged with sexual assault,” he explained.
According to Muyiwa, the relationship he sought was meant to offer support and encouragement to the student, rather than anything sexual. He also clarified that the only times they had been together were on October 11, when she helped with the scores, and October 13, when the accusation surfaced.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until January 13, 2025.