Disturbingly, Dr Eron Lawrence, a lecturer at Kyambogo University currently sits in Luzira on accusations of defiling a 16-year-old visually impaired girl. The Nakawa Chief magistrate’s court ruled that he should immediately be remanded to Luzira after he pleaded not to the charges before chief magistrate Christine Nantege on July 7, 2024.
Dr. Lawrence, 56, is being charged with aggravated defilement contrary to section 129 (3) of the penal code act. He did not respond to the charge sheet at the initial stage of court proceedings – a sign of the high expectations authorities have for the case.
This bail application shall be mentioned on August 24 to establish when Dr Lawrence’s trial will start. Background and Investigation
Dr Lawrence had disappeared from his residence, prompting Kyambogo University management to recommend the cessation of his salary and jurisdiction for the relevant authorities to take up their legal obligations, Vice-Chancellor, prof Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya informed. Capital News outshow that the university initiated an internal probe leading to Dr. Lawrence’s disciplinary suspension. The period of time covered by the investigation amounted to September 11, 2023, when the university first learned of the allegations, to June 29, 2019. Based on the review of more than 100,000 pages of documents and tutorial text messages, the report also confirmed that while there was no direct evidence of Dr. Lawrence committing harassment, bullying, or anything in that chaotic breed, his professional and sensitive conduct had deteriorated over the long term, without corrective steps taken. In 2019, a critical participation activity was postponed for several years.
Lawrence’s arrest is shocking since the university had previously suspended him and ordered him to comply with lawful. Investigations pending Dr Lawrence’s case after an inquiry discovered that he was directly involved in the crime according to vice-chancellor Katunguka. The 6-man committee delved into 23 complaints made against him and established gross misconduct on his part. Lawrence’s case was handled similarly to other forms of sexual harassment that had erupted at 3 separate times.
According to the charge sheet, dr Lawrence allegedly committed the crime on October 12, 2023, at Kyambogo University and Namugongo Nsawo Village in wakiso district. Prosecution, led by Eunice Mbaine told court that investigations were ongoing. The prosecution alleges that he had carnal knowledge of the victim who at the juvenile’s age could not consent to sex. They futher allege that Lawrence had sex with a child while HIV positive soon sickened to AIDS.
[p 4, l 219; 14] The case will be mentioned here on that date while they remand at luzira prisons. Mr. Lawrence did not reply when the charge was read to him, and it was not clear whether he had a legal representative. His lawyer then opposed the charge with no evidence whatsoever, but finally pleaded not guilty to the allegation of. The launched bail application will be heard tomorrow, on July 21 at 2:00 pm.
The incident has raised condemnation from academia and the wider community. The university was served with a statutory notice from Her high school in Mukono Ref SC. Therefore, the administration has promised to halt this kind of action and guaranteed that the girl is in good hands.
Next Steps
It viewed as a sensitive case and case management would be established before july 24. All the while, Dr Lawrence has been detained at luzira upper prison. It has been alleged that Dr Lawrence performed a sexual act with the child while he was HIV positive and in a confiating situation.
According to a statement from the University of Ghana Legon campus: “Whilst our client admits that this matter has grievously troubled many, they greatly appreciate the total absence of speculation surrounding it while the requiremeit has been under review. The when and where we can look for the required relief in orde. I to likely pay and time shall not infringe upon the pristine criticality families desire justice and peace at the earliest possible time. Both at the private setting as well as the public domain i.e. WHO SHALL ABAIT THIS LOVE’S RETARDATION? And whose betterment does this ease—anyway?”
However, as the case goes viral, it has risen more questions than answers. Will Dr Eron Lawrence be convicted of committing the act and non admitted or charged with the offence of bodily harm on child nursing in a manner that might increase the likelihood of contracting a serious blood disease? At this stage, all possible scenarios are being played out by those keen on seeing a just end to this unfortunate situation with the same anticipation given by the academy and those watching the spectacle with an eve inclined eye to the signal light at the crossroads.
