By Ralph Oluwatoyin.
An Ekiti State High Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two persons to life imprisonment for committing offence of rape.
The defendants, Salau Adams (21) and Odeleye Tobi (21) were arraigned before Justice Olalekan Olatawura on 13th May, 2022 for raping a 14 year old minor.
The charge reads, that the defendants on 28th day of February, 2022 at Awo Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA of Ekiti State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire to rape a fourteen year old girl, contrary to Section 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State and Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In her statement to the Police, the victim said, I know Adams and Tobi in the street, on that day, I was hawking fried meat, they called me and bought meat worth of N100 each, they pretend to bring out money but instead, Adams brought out a black handkerchief, I decided to leave and report them to my mother, when I turned, Tobi held and carried me from back while Adams covered my mouth with the black handkerchief, I was carried to a nearby bush behind their house, Adams first forcefully had sex with me and Tobi also did same, thereafter, they ran away. I went back home crying, with blood stains on my cloth, I narrated what happened to my mother, other neighbours followed my mother to their house but they were not at home, the matter was reported at the Police station and they were later arrested. I was still a virgin when they raped me, she concluded.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Adeola Arogundade called eight witnesses and tendered defendants statements and medical report as exhibits. The defendants spoke through their counsel, O.G. Abiola who pleaded to court to tamper justice with mercy, adding that, they are young and can still be useful to the society, they called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Olalekan Olatawura said, the crime of rape and defilement of children in this jurisdiction is fast assuming a frightening dimension, it is the duty of the court to send the right signal to would be rapists. The only way to discourage this dastardly and bestial act would be, to punish those found guilty severely.
I therefore hold that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants had sexual intercourse with the victim and was not consensual.
From the proved facts, it can be inferred and I so do that the defendants conspired to commit the offence of rape.
Consequently, the two defendants are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.
