Save Me From Media, Unilag Lecturer Begs Magistrate

The suspect, Afeez Baruwa

The accused University of Lagos lecturer, Afeez Baruwa, who is standing trial before a lagos state magistrate court for allegedly raping an 18 year old girl has asked for protection from “hostile” media reportage.
 

Afeez Baruwa whom the university of Lagos said is not on its pay roll told the court through his lawyer, Kunle Abimbola, that media houses (not Naij.com) were reporting the case wrongly. The lawyer particularly pointed out Punch newspaper.
“It has come to a case where we have to seek the ultimate protection of the defendant from the press, he is still presumed innocent until proven guilty. On the last adjourned date, it was stated that the defendant was ill. The next day, Punch went to town with the headline ‘‎UNILAG lecturer stays in prison, shuns court.

“On the 15th of August, 2015, Saturday Punch published the story ‘UNILAG lecturer: Asthma saved me from being raped, says another victim. On the 22nd of August, 2015, Saturday Punch carried an interview with the Dean at the faculty where the defendant worked and he called the defendant a rapist.
“The defendant is being tried and convicted in the media which runs against Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It still remains an allegation, the defendant is still presumed guilty,” Mr. Abimbola was quoted by Premium Times.

On his part, ‎magistrate Tajudeen Elias said the case is an “exceptional circumstance” and told media to report the proceedings accurately.
“It is incumbent for the press to report accurately as unnecessary comments will amount to subjudice,” he said as he adjourned the case till November 13.
Meanwhile, the eighteen year old admission seeker who was allegedly raped has been offered a scholarship by the management of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun state.
The University of Lagos had disowned lecturer Dr. Akin Baruwa. The head of the Information Unit of the university, Olagoke Oke, who spoke with a Punch reporter said Dr Baruwa is not on the university’s employee list whether teaching or non-teaching