A Columbus State University police officer recounted in graphic detail an alleged assault on a student in broad daylight. The incident occurred September 26, 2025, in a parking deck used by the University’s RiverPark campus. The testimony was given during Hosni Batebawia’s Recorder’s Court hearing for multiple charges including rape and aggravated sexual battery.
The officer testified Batebawia asked the victim for her phone number as she approached her vehicle on the 4th floor of the parking deck. The victim told the suspect her age before forcing himself in the driver’s side of the car. Unable to close the door Batebawia ripped off the victim’s clothing while choking and punching her with his fist. The attack was caught on surveillance video which includes audio and the victim screaming “Help! He is raping me”. There were also witnesses in the parking deck that corroborated the victim’s account.
The 20-year-old Batebawia attempted to put the victim in the trunk of her car after the assault but was unsuccessful before leaving the scene in the victim’s car. Phenix City police spotted the vehicle and a brief chase ensued back to Columbus where Batebawia was taken into custody. The convicted felon was free from the Muscogee County jail for a few hours just prior to the assault in the parking deck.
Prosecutors requested two more charges be brought including theft by taking a motor vehicle and aggravated assault with intent to rape. Judge David Ranieri ordered Batebawia held without bond on all six charges related to the assault calling him a significant threat to the safety of the community.
