PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Philadelphia prosecutors have dropped rape charges against a former Temple University football player.
Praise Martin-Oguike, 20, a resident of Woodbridge, N.J., told The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., he hopes to resume his studies at Temple. He was kicked off the football team, lost his football scholarship and was suspended from school after a female student accused him of sexually assaulting her 18 months ago.
"I'm very happy," Martin-Oguike told the newspaper Tuesday. "My goal now is to get back into school and finish my education and play football."
His lawyer, James Funt, said the case was dismissed because a forensic examination determined the accuser was angry because Martin-Oguike did not want a longterm relationship. Funt said that occurred only after he got a court order.
"When looked at in conjunction with the medical information, it was clear the complainant's story was simply not true," he said. "Thankfully, when the prosecution finally looked at the evidence we provided, they made the only just choice -- complete dismissal of the charges."
Martin-Oguike's parents are immigrants from Nigeria. His father is an Episcopalian priest in Woodbridge and his mother, Ngozi, a poet.
