A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti before Justice Adekunle Adeleye has sentenced one Ajewole Olamilekan, 33, to life imprisonment over the rape of a minor.
The court on the other hand discharged and acquitted, a co-accused Omoyajowo Ayo, 25, after the duo were arraigned before the count on two charges bothering on conspiracy and rape.
According to The Hope, the prosecutor, O.B Ayeleso told the court that the defendants on June 29, 2024, at Ayetoro Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the court conspired to rape a 10 -year old girl.
The offence committed was 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:” Around 6:00 p.m., I went to my father’s friend’s house, Mr Akogba. I met his wife, Aunty Ayo. She gave me food. I sat on the floor eating while she was also eating. After some time, the defendant (also known as Paskolo) knocked on the door and came in. At this point, Aunty Ayo had finished eating and went out.
“The defendant sat on the bed. When I finished eating, I stood up to go outside, but the door had been locked. The defendant grabbed me from behind. I was shouting, but he covered my mouth with his palm. He removed my pants and forcefully inserted his penis into my vagina.
“Afterwards, he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to clean the blood.
“I was weeping because my vagina was hurting me. When I got home, I narrated what happened to my father,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the prosecutor called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, CD ROM, Flash Drive, medical report and medical documents as exhibits.
Ajewole Olamilekan spoke through his lawyer in his defence.
The 2nd defendant (Omoyajowo Ayo), was exonerated as she knew nothing about the incident and one witness was called for her case
In his judgement, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, he did not find any inferable circumstance linking the 2nd defendant (Omoyajowo Ayo) to commit rape with the 1st defendant and thereby acquitted and discharged her.
The prosecution established the essential ingredients of the offence of rape against the 1st defendant beyond reasonable doubt and was found guilty as charged.
In his ruling, Justice Adekunle Adeleye sentenced the 1st defendant (Ajewole Olamilekan) to life imprisonment as provided for by Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State 2012, the judge pronounced.
