By Blessing Teniola.
Justice Adekunle Adeleye of an Ekiti State high court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced an 18-,year old, Tope Ojo Dada to be detained at the Juvenile home, Ado Ekiti at the pleasure of the governor.
The defendant was arraigned in September 2020, for raping a 12-year old girl.
The defendant according to the charge was on 11/8/2020 at GRA, Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this court did rape a 12-year old girl, contrary to section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In her statement to the Police, the victim said, I am living with my guardian, I used to hawk groundnut during covid-19 lockdown, I was hawking on that day around new Iyin road, Ado Ekiti, the okada man stopped me to buy groundnut, he later told me to follow him to his house as his neighbours wanted to buy plenty groundnut, I said no, but he begged me, I later agreed to follow him, when we got to his house, there was nobody on sight, I was afraid and decided to run away, he seized my groundnut and took it to his room, I was crying but nobody to help me, he brought the groundnut out again and asked me to pick it and leave, while trying to carry my groundnut tray, he grabbed me and carried me to his room, I was shouting, he covered my mouth and increased the volume of his gadgets, he forcefully removed my pant and have sex with me, thereafter, I started bleeding profusely.
A passerby who heard my voice while crying called other neighbours, they forced the door open, I was rescued while he was arrested and handed over to the Police, she concluded.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Barrister Julius Ajibare, called 2 witnesses, he tendered defendants statement and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Christopher Omokhafe but called no witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, I have no doubt that the complainant had established beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant raped the victim on the 10/08/2020.
He is a child at the time of commission of the offence by the definition of who a child is under the provisions of the Child’s Right Law.
He has not attained the age of majority at the time the offence of rape was committed.
On this premise, I hereby order that the defendant be detained at the Juvenile Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti at the pleasure of the governor.