A 39-year-old man, Olukayode Dayo has been sentenced to life jail term by an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekit for rape.
The convict who a former operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Lekan Olatawura on 13th May, 2022 on one count charge bordering on rape.
The charge said Olukayode Dayo on 25th of December, 2021 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did rape a 13 years old girl.
The offence, according to the charge, is contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
The victim in her statement to the police said, “I was living with my grandmother, who sent me home to go and bring banana and kolanut. On my way home, one man called Olukay (the defendant) crossed me with his motorcycle, dropped the banana and kolanut on my head and carried me to a fenced uncompleted building,
“I was shouting but he did not listen to me, he removed my pant and started having sex with me. A passerby who heard my voice entered the compound and he took to his heels on sighting the man. The man chased him but he was unable to catch him. The man came back and took me to my grandmother and explained what happened to her”, she concluded.
The prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, photographs of the victim and medical report as exhibits to proof his case.
The defendant who spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Oluwaseun Oyebanji, called no witness.
He, however, denied committing the offence but pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Olatawura said, “In this event, the victim consistently, unequivocally and unshakingly stated that the defendant who was well known to her was the person who raped her.
“In all, I find proof beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant raped the 13-year-old girl on 25th December, 2021 and consequent thereupon, I find him guilty as charged. Consequent upon the foregoing, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment”, the judge ruled.
