An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 20 year old man to 30 calendar months imprisonment for offence of rape.
The convict was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 6th June, 2022 on one count charge of rape.
The charge reads that Olarewaju Seun, on 6th August, 2021 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this court did rape a three year old girl, contrary to section 31(1) of Child Right Law, Cap C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In her evidence before the court, the victims mother said, “I was not around, I did not know what happened until the following day, when I was bathing my daughter, she did not allow me to wash her private part, when I checked, I saw it red and swollen, I was so scared, when I asked what happened to her bumbum, she repeatedly said, it was Seun.
“Thereafter, I heard Seun’s mother and my mother in-law fighting outside, it was then I have true picture of what happened, my brother in-law narrated what transpired between Seun’s mother, my mother in-law and my daughter yesterday.
“I reported the matter to the police who later took over the matter”.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo called three witnesses and tendered defendant’s statement, pictures of the victim and defendant, medical report among others as exhibit.
The defendant spoke through his counsel Ekene Luke, he prayed court to temper justice with mercy and called four witnesses.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Familoni said, I believe the defendant as a young person deserves a second chance to redeem himself and be a good citizen. He cannot do that if I sentence him to life imprisonment.
Therefore, I am inclined to temper Justice with mercy to afford him an opportunity of redemption.
Therefore, the defendant, Olarewaju Seun is sentenced to 30 calendar month imprisonment without an option of fine, the sentence is to run effectively from 20th September, 2021 when he was rearrested by the police and kept in detention.
