Basketball star Eddie Ekiyor accused of sex crimes
A former Carleton Ravens basketball star, who led the team to a national championship in March and was named the tournament’s most valuable player, is now facing charges including kidnapping and sexual assault.
Edward “Eddie” Ekiyor said nothing to reporters as he walked out of the Elgin Street Courthouse after being released on bail on Friday.
The charges stem from a complaint to Ottawa police by a 23-year-old woman who said she met Ekiyor, 22, in the ByWard Market in April and was taken to a home in the city ’s west end. Police allege the woman was plied with alcohol and drugs before she was sexually assaulted.
The woman drifted in and out of consciousness during the incident and was eventually put in a taxi that took her home, police said. Investigators said they believed there could be additional victims.
The alleged assault occurred just weeks after the Ravens men’s basketball team won its second national championship in three years and 14th title in the past 17 years. Ekiyor was awarded the Jack Donohue Trophy as most valuable player of the tournament played in Halifax.
He wore a plain black T-shirt and grey sweatpants when he appeared in court on Friday.
He was released after posting a $2,000 surety and agreeing to conditions, including that he live with his mother and that he not leave her house between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by one of his parents.
Ekiyor is prohibited from possessing weapons and leaving the home with alcohol in his blood. He was also required to surrender his passport and can’t travel outside Ontario.
He’s also prohibited from contacting the victim, whose name is protected by a publication ban.
The Crown didn’t oppose Ekiyor’s release.
Ekiyor played three seasons with the Ravens, but isn’t listed on their 2019-20 roster, even though he has two years of Canadian university sport eligibility remaining. Some speculated the talented 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward intended to enter the professional basketball ranks.
In a statement, Carleton University said it learned of the charges against Ekiyor on Friday morning, when the Ottawa Police Service issued its media release. The university said it would have no comment on the matter. Ekiyor’s profile page on the university website was unavailable on Friday.
In 2016, Ekiyor pleaded guilty to an August 2015 hit-and-run that left off-duty police officer Val Curcio with serious back injuries. Ekiyor had been driving home from a house party when his vehicle hit Curcio, who was cycling, around 7:20 a.m. in Barrhaven.
Police said Ekiyor fled the scene, but was later arrested. When he entered his guilty plea in court, he also tendered a letter of apology, saying he wished he could turn back time.
“I would do anything to reverse what happened. I hope you recover. I am beyond sorry. I will do everything in my power to make this right. I’m so sorry,” he wrote.
Ekiyor’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 27.