A viral false rape allegation at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has taken a sharp legal turn. 200-level student David Ojuko Adefesobi (widely known simply as David) has demanded a full public retraction, formal apology, and ₦15 million in damages from fellow student Adeife (full name Adewale Adeola Adeife, English Department) after she publicly branded him a “rapist” and “rape apologist” without evidence.
How the False Accusation Started
The saga began around February 17, 2026, during heated online debates about a trending rape-related case. David reposted content highlighting the dangers of false rape accusations. Adeife reacted by Labeling him a rapist across multiple platforms, sharing his personal phone number publicly. Encouraging others to harass and condemn him. David reportedly received waves of abusive messages, death threats, and reputational attacks that affected his mental health, family, and academic standing.
Adeife’s Apology & University Involvement. When the matter reached the OAU Senate/Disciplinary Committee, Adeife could provide zero evidence. She later released a short video apology (circulating widely since February 19–20), stating:“It was the heat of the moment. I let my emotions take over… David is not a rapist. I’ve never witnessed or had any evidence of him committing such an act. I’m sorry.”
The university notified her department and parents, though no public expulsion or final disciplinary outcome has been confirmed yet.
Legal Demand Letter Issued On February 22, 2026, David’s lawyers (K.C. Anekwe & Associates) served a formal letter giving Adeife 14 days to comply with these demands:
- Written public retraction and unequivocal apology posted on the same platforms where the allegation appeared.
- Payment of ₦15,000,000 for defamation, emotional distress, reputational damage, threats to safety, and related harm.
Failure to settle could lead to a civil lawsuit.
Why This Case Matters. The incident has ignited fierce online debate: Supporters argue false accusers must face real consequences to deter mob justice and protect innocent people.
Others worry the ₦15M figure is steep, while still acknowledging the severe real-world fallout (threats, doxxing, mental trauma).
Broader conversation: How do we support genuine sexual assault victims while preventing baseless claims from destroying lives?
