Court Remands Security Guard For Rape

An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court, has remanded in prison custody a security guard, Anthony Jabiyi, over alleged rape and armed robbery .

Jabiyi, 44, was accused of raping a 37-year old trader, (name with held), after robbing her and four others of their valuables.

The accused person who appeared before Chief Magistrate Igbekele Akinyele, was alleged to have committed the offence on January 3, at about 2 a.m. at Powerline, Ajagbale community, Oka in Ondo State.

Jabiyi was accused of raping his victim, an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 358 of the of the Criminal Code Cap. 37, Vol. I, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Police prosecutor, ASP Isah Atanegbe, had also told the court that the accused and others still at large, were also charged with armed robbery.

The offence is punishable under Section 6 (a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R II, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The suspects were said to have, while armed with gun and cutlasses, robbed Adeyosoye Abiodun, Fagun Mojibat, Adeyosoye Anike, Adeyosoye Temitayo and Akinyele Lawrence of their valuables.

The offence was alleged to have been committed between January 2 and 3, at about 11.45 p.m. and 3 a.m at Powerline, Oka in Ondo.

The prosecution told the court that the action was also in breach of Section 1 (2) (A) and (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R II, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Jabiyi, who elected for summary trial, pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was interpreted to him in Yoruba language.

The prosecutor asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him summon four witnesses.

The counsel to the accused, Mr. Francis Balogun, did not object to the request of the prosecution for adjournment, but prayed the court to admit his client on bail on liberal terms.

Balogun cited Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which grants the court the power and jurisdiction to grant bail in such cases.

The magistrate did not take the plea of the accused, saying the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case, but ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison.

He, however, said the accused was at liberty to approach the high court for bail, and adjourned the matter to March 5, for mention.