Medical doctor indicts 2 siblings accused of defrauding, raping Unilag undergraduate

A medical doctor, Dr Alagbe Oyedeji, on Tuesday gave evidence indicating the two siblings — Bright Nwachukwu and Chijindu Nwachukwu — who are standing trial for raping and defrauding an undergraduate of the University of Lagos (Unilag).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the brothers — Bright, 32, and Chijindu, 24 — are facing three-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretences and rape at an Ikeja High Court.

They allegedly committed the offences when they accosted the 21-year-old undergraduate (name withheld)on Feb. 12, 2016, on her way to the University for her medical clearance.

Oyedeji, a self-proclaimed atheist, while being led in evidence by Mrs C. K Tunji-Carrena, the lead prosecution counsel, told the court that he worked at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

“I work at the Department of Family Medicine and also as a consultant /examiner to Mirabel Centre.

“My job entails examination, treatment and writing of reports or examination findings on a victim of sexual assault.”

The doctor told the court he was testifying on behalf of his colleague, who had initially conducted the medical examination but was no longer in the employ of LASUTH.

“I have a report from the Mirabel Centre dated Feb. 13, 2016, from a colleague of mine, Dr Sholaja,  who is no longer in the workforce of LASUTH, he has relocated outside Lagos.

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

Giving details of the examination report, the doctor said:“The examination findings started from when the client entered the examination room.

“She was found to be quiet, willing to give information and she was alert as well as 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.

“The doctor came to the conclusion that this examination’s findings which are highlighted are consistent with the client’s claim that she had forceful penetration into her vagina.

“The force in this case which she described happened to be the penis,” the doctor said.

While being cross-examined by Mr Oganihu Nwosu, the defence counsel, the doctor admitted that the complainant never mentioned the names of the defendants as the alleged perpetrators of the rape.

He also noted that the examination had also revealed that the complainant had a genital infection prior to 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.

NAN reports that the complainant, a graduate from the Department of Biology Education, had on July 4, 2017, testified about how the siblings defrauded and raped her.

According to her, she was accosted by Bright on her way to school and was “hypnotized” and as a result, followed him to a house located at No. 4, Odusanya St., Ijaiye-Ojokoro, Lagos, where she was raped by him.

The UNILAG undergraduate alleged that in her hypnotic state she gave the men her ATM pin and N19,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from her account.

She was allegedly further instructed by the duo to go home and steal cash and valuables belonging to her mother and bring to them.

The plan was foiled when her mother noticed her daughter’s strange behaviour and called their pastor and also alerted the police.

The offences contravened Sections 258, 312(3) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso adjourned the case until Feb. 19 for a continuation of trial.