21st December, 2022
Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro
An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a 38-year-old man, Oladimeji Ayodele, to life imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the convict was arraigned before Justice Monisola Abodunde on Sept. 9, 2021, on a count charge of rape.
According to the charge, the convict, on Aug. 8, 2020 at Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the court, did rape a 14-year-old girl, 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: “The defendant (Daddy Oba) was my father’s neighbour but I was living with a guardian. During COVID-19 period, I went to see my father but he was not at home and I went to pick the key where it was kept.
“Suddenly, daddy Oba held me from the back; I looked at his face and asked him to leave me but he refused. Instead, he covered my mouth and started dragging me to a nearby primary school. Although I was shouting, there was nobody to rescue me.
“When he got to the school, he pushed me angrily for wasting his time, after which he started fondling my breasts.
“I was crying and begging him but he did not bother. As I attempted to run away, he grabbed me, removed my pant and forcefully had sex with me. I, thereafter, started bleeding from my private part, even before he left.
“I was afraid to tell my guardian, but when the bleeding did not stop, I had to call one of our neighbours and narrated what happened to her.
“It was our neighbour who later told my guardian what happened to me. The matter was later reported at a police station, leading to the arrest of Daddy Oba.”
To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Abigeal Aladejare, called three witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement as well as medical and laboratory reports as exhibits.
NAN reported that the defendant spoke through his counsel, T. Obisesan, and called one witness.
In his judgment, the judge 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.”
Abodunde said that he was fully persuaded that the defendant was guilty as charged.
“I hold that the defendant is to face the full wrath of the law, as enshrined in Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State and punishable under Section 31(1).
“He is hereby sentenced to imprisonment for life,” the judge said.
(NAN)