By Babatunde Michael.
An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 31-year old Ojo Idowu Adebayo to life imprisonment for raping a nine year old minor.
The defendant was arraigned on one count charge bordering on rape before Justice Olalekan Olatawura in March, 2022.
The charge reads that the defendant on 8th of October, 2021 at Ilogbo Ekiti in Ido/Osi LGA of Ekiti State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did rape a nine year old girl, contrary to section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In her testimony before the court, the victim said, “I am a primary three pupil, I am living with my grandmother, I know oga I.D Idowu (the defendant) who is my elder sister’s neighbour, on that day, I was fetching water to our kitchen, he asked me to come and get something for my grandmother, when I got there, there was nobody in the house, I stood by the door, he asked me to enter but I refused, he forced me to his room and covered my mouth with his hand, he used the other hand to remove his trouser and started forcing his thing to where I used to urinate, I was shouting but nobody could hear me because he covered my mouth, I was weeping because my vagina is paining me, he warned me not to tell anybody.
When I got home, I did not tell my grandmother but on the second day, when I could not walk well, my grandmother asked what happened to me, I told her what oga I.D did for me”.
Corroborating the testimony of the victim, her grandmother said, I discovered the victim was unable to walk properly, I bought some drugs for her but I threatened to beat her if she refused to explain why she was cat-walking and could not sit well.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Barrister Julius Ajibare called five witnesses and tendered defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits while the defendant spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Toyin Oluwole and called two witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Olalekan Olatawura said, ‘‘identification of the defendant by the victim as the person who raped her is not only compelling but credible, same not having been discredited under cross examination and therefore not mistaken’’.
In all, I find established and proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution that the defendant and no other person used his penis to penetrate the vagina of the defendant.
Consequently thereupon, the defendant is found guilty as charged. He is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.
