10th April, 2013
The police in Lagos on Wednesday charged a 30-year-old mechanic, Taofik Ogunshola, with leading a five-man gang that abducted and raped a teenager.
Ogunshola, who gave his address as Alasia, Kpako Estate, Ajah, Lagos, is facing a nine-count charge of rape, kidnapping and robbery before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Okoye, told the court that Ogunshola and the four others, still at large, committed the crimes at 9:00 p.m. on April 7 near Splash 155 Restaurant at Sangotedo in Ajah.
Okoye said that the gang kidnapped the 19-year-old in front of the restaurant, drove her to a nearby bush and raped her.
“The gang also stole her money (N7,070) and her handset and forcefully kept her in the bush until 5:00a.m. the following morning.
“Ogunshola then gave her his phone number to memorise, and asked her to call him anytime she wished. It was that number that she presented to the police when she reported the matter,” Okoye submitted.
The prosecutor said that the crimes contravened Sections 409, 358 (1) (2) (4), 263 (1) (2), 266, 261 (1) (2), 259, 136 and 134 (1) (92) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Ogunshola, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs Oyindamola Ogala, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to May 5 for mention. Rape in Nigeria attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.