December 22,2022

An Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced Oladimeji Ayodele, 38, to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old minor.

The convict was arraigned before Justice Monisola Abodunde on the 9th of September 2021 on a count charge of rape.

According to the charge, the convict on 8th August 2020 at Ado Ekiti, raped a girl,14, contrary to 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: Daddy Oba (the suspect) was my father’s neighbour. I was living with a guardian during Covid-19 and I went to see my father. He was not at home. I went to pick up the key where it was kept. Suddenly, Daddy Oba held me from back, I looked at his face, and I asked him to leave me, but he refused, instead, he covered my mouth and dragged me towards a nearby primary School, I was shouting but there was nobody to rescue me.

“When he got to the school, he pushed me angrily for wasting his time, he was fondling my breast, I was crying and begging him but he did not answer me, I attempted to run away, but he captured me again, he removed my pant and forcefully had sex with me, thereafter, I was bleeding from my vagina before he left.”

She said she was afraid to tell her guardian “but when the bleeding did not stop, I called one of our neighbours and narrated what happened to her.”

It was the neighbour who told her guardian and the matter was reported at the police station, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

To prove the case, the prosecutor, Abigeal Aladejare called three witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, as well as medical and laboratory reports as exhibits.

The defendant spoke through his counsel T. Obisesan and called one witness.

In his judgment, Justice Monisola Abodunde said, “blatant and flagrant abuse of minors in ways evidenced in the instant case must be checked to save the future and dignity of our female children’.’

She said: “I am fully persuaded that the defendant is guilty as charged. I hold that he is to face the full wrath of the law as enshrined in section 31 (2) of the Child Rights Law, Cap C7, Laws of Ekiti State, and punishable under Law. Section 31(1) states that no person shall have sexual intercourse with a child.

The judge consequently sentenced the suspect to life imprisonment.

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