The High Court in Ilorin delivered a resounding judgment on February 12, 2024, ordering Dr. Ken Olowokere, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, to pay N5 million in damages for sexually assaulting a student. The landmark ruling reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of individuals.
The case centered on an appalling incident in February 2019. The victim, a then 17-year-old fresher in the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, was summoned to Dr. Ken Olowokere’s office under the guise of discussing her academic performance. However, what followed was a harrowing ordeal of sexual assault.
According to the testimony presented in court, the victim politely declined the lecturer’s offer to inflate her test scores, expressing her intention to improve through her own efforts.
In a disturbing turn of events, Dr. Olowokere, undeterred by her refusal, forcibly assaulted her within the confines of his office. Despite her struggles, the assailant silenced her cries for help, perpetrating the heinous act in broad daylight within the university premises.
The victim courageously reported the assault to her father, who, in turn, escalated the matter to the school authorities and law enforcement. Subsequently, the university conducted a thorough investigation, leading to Dr. Olowokere’s dismissal based on the findings of the Disciplinary Committee.
In delivering the judgment, Honorable Justice I. A Yusuf ruled that while the university could not be held vicariously liable for the lecturer’s actions, Dr. Olowokere bore individual responsibility for the egregious violation of the victim’s human dignity. As a consequence, the court ordered him to pay N5 million in damages to the survivor, marking a significant victory in her pursuit of justice.
Reacting to the verdict, Chief Ronke Adeyemi, counsel to the claimant, expressed dismay at the betrayal of trust by an individual in a position of authority.
She commended the court for sending a clear message that perpetrators of gender-based violence against vulnerable individuals would face the full weight of the law, both criminally and civilly. Adeyemi emphasized that such judgments set a precedent for accountability and deterrence against future acts of violence.
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