UNILAG Student Was Raped, Doctor Tells Court

 

An Ikeja High Court heard yesterday how two brothers, Bright Nwachukwu and Chijindu Nwachukwu raped and defrauded an undergraduate of the University of Lagos (Unilag).

Bright, 32 and Chijindu, 24, are facing a three-count charge of obtaining under false pretences and rape before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.

They were alleged to have accosted the 21-year-old undergraduate on February 12, 2016, on her way to the campus for medical clearance.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mrs C. K Tunji-Carrena,  Dr Alagbe Oyedeji of the Department of Family Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)  said he was testifying on behalf of one Dr Sholaja, who   prepared a report dated February 13, 2016.

He described Sholaja as his colleague, adding that the doctor was no longer with LASUTH.

The witness, a consultant/examiner with Mirabel Centre, which handles rape and related cases,  said his job entailed “examination, treatment and writing of reports or examination findings on victims of sexual assault.”

“Being an examiner and also someone experienced in the day-to-day activities of the Mirabel Centre, I’m here to interpret the examination findings,” he said.

The  findings, he said,  started from when the client entered into the examination room,  pointing out that she was found to be quiet and willing to give information. He said the victim was in good state of mind, alert and well-oriented about time and place.

“The gross physical findings indicate that there are no significant injuries to her physical structure. Significant findings on her genitalia indicate injuries; there was a focus of injury to the entrance of the urethra. The hymen had injuries called  lacerations and the posterior forcet had superficial lacerations”, he stated.

Oyedeji explained that the doctor concluded that his  findings were consistent with the victim’s claim that she had forceful penetration into her private parts,  adding :  “the force in this case, as described by the victim happened to be the male organ.”

Under cross-examination by Mr Oganihu Nwosu, the defence counsel, the doctor admitted that the complainant never  named the defendants as those who raped her.

He also noted that the examination report revealed that the victim had a genital infection before the rape.

“Part of the report said that there was a copious discharge on the client’s genitalia. Analysis was not done on the discharge and it was observed that the client had a staphylococcus infection,” Oyedeji said.

The trial resumes on February 19.

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