7th February, 2013
A commercial motorcycle operator has been arrested by the police and charged to Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a female passanger at Igando area Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
The motorcycle operator, also known as Okada rider, Michael Oshinbanjo, was charged with rape of a 20-year old woman who rode on his motorcycle to a pharmaceutical store in the area.
P.M.NEWS learnt that Oshinbanjo allegedly lured the victim, who used to patronise him, to his house at 26, Atoke Olusanya Street, Igando New Town, Lagos.
She alleged that on their way to her destination, the Okada rider veered off to his house and lured her into his room.
She said she did not suspect foul play until she entered his room where he quickly locked the door and started beating her.
According to the victim, when she shouted and attempted to escape, the Okada rider over powered her, threw her on his bed and tied her hands and mouth before tearing her underpants and raping her.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the victim was later rushed to a hospital where she is being treated.
The matter was reported to the police at Igando division and he was arrested and arraigned in court.
The prosecutor, ASP Nicholas Atumonye, objected to his bail on the ground that if he was granted bail, it would send a wrong signal to the society because of the gravity of the offence.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs M. B. Folami, denied him bail and ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri Prisons.
She adjourned the matter till 13 March 2013. On his way to prison, Oshibanjo told our reporter that ‘it was devil that pushed him to rape her.’
He confirmed that the victim was his customer and said he had pleaded with her and her parents to settle the matter out of court.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe