By Bolanle Lawal
A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Friday sentenced a 33-year-old man, Oluwatuyi Bidemi, to 21 years’ imprisonment for robbery, attempted murder, and kidnapping.
Bidemi was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on July 21, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge, including the attempted murder of Abiodun Agnes.
Delivering judgment, Justice Familoni stated, “It is my finding that the prosecution has proved the offences of attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping, and rape against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
“The sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution. Accordingly, the defendant is convicted on all the counts as charged.
“The convict is sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment on each of the four counts, without an option of fine.
“The sentences shall run concurrently, with effect from the date of the defendant’s arrest and detention.”
Earlier, the victim recounted how the convict attacked her while she was on her way to work, held her by the neck, and dragged her into the bush.
She said the convict tied her up and stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth.
According to her, he stole her wristwatch, phone, phone charger, and ATM cards.
“He held my neck and I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I discovered that he had raped me, shaved my armpit and private part hairs.
“I was in the bush from 8:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
“I could not shout. I crawled out and was rescued by passersby, who took me to the hospital.
“When I described the defendant, some people identified him. He was later arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Omuo Ekiti,” she narrated.
The prosecutor, Oluwaseun Olasanmi, presented four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements and a medical report, among other exhibits.
The defendant, represented by Mr. Charles Ayobioloja, did not call any witnesses but pleaded for leniency.
According to the prosecution, the convict committed the offences on July 7, 2021, in Omuo Ekiti.
The offences contravened Sections 320 and 402(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. They also violated Section 2 of the Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, No. 18 of 2019, and Section 3 of the Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law, No. 12 of 2015. (NAN)
