Kolawole Muyiwa, a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College, faces trial for allegedly raping a student during an office encounter in 2021.
A part-time lecturer from the Department of Primary Education and Early Childhood Development at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos, has appeared in court facing serious allegations of rape.
Kolawole Muyiwa’s trial commenced on Monday at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi.
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The charges stem from an incident reported to have occurred on October 11, 2021, involving an 18-year-old student.
The Lagos State Government had initially arraigned Muyiwa on February 6, 2023.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape, as outlined by the prosecution team led by B. T. Boye and I. D. Solarin.
The prosecution asserts that Muyiwa’s actions violate Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
During the proceedings, the court heard that the victim was a full-time student who had volunteered to assist Muyiwa in recording scores for his students on the day in question.
Testimony revealed that the young woman had agreed to help Muyiwa in his office, where the alleged incident occurred.
In his defence, Muyiwa, who identified himself as a married man with children, stated that he and the victim had an understanding. He claimed they had discussed the possibility of a romantic relationship, which she purportedly accepted.
He recounted the day of the alleged rape, explaining how the victim offered to assist him with his administrative tasks in the college office.
“On October 11, 2021, at around 9:30 to 10:00 in the morning, I arrived at the college to submit scripts.
I met Damilola at the gate, and she offered to help me carry my bag.
After I asked her if she could record scores, she agreed,” Muyiwa testified.
He described how they worked together in the office, with the victim recording scripts while charging her phone, before he broached the topic of a relationship.
The accused further explained that he had not known the victim prior to this encounter and insisted that their interaction was strictly academic.
He asserted, “I wanted to be a source of encouragement for her in her studies, not for any sexual relationship.”
Following the incident, Muyiwa claimed that he was contacted by the Head of Department of Guidance and Counselling, who informed him of the allegations made against him.
He maintained his innocence throughout, asserting that he had been unaware of the complaint until then. After an extended period of detention, he was charged with sexual assault.
As the trial progresses, the court will continue to examine the evidence presented, which will determine the outcome of this serious case.
The proceedings have highlighted significant issues surrounding power dynamics in educational settings and the importance of safeguarding students’ rights.
