Adebayo Adenrele
A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital has sentenced a Civil Defence Officer, Olukayode Dayo to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.
The 39-year-old convict was arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on 13th May, 2022 on one count charge bordering on rape.
The charge reads that “Olukayode Dayo on 25th of December, 2021 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did rape a 13 years old girl
According to the charge, the offence is contrary to section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
In his statement to the police, the victim said, “I was living with my grandmother, I was sent home to go and bring banana and kolanut, on my way home, one man called Olukay (the defendant) crossed me with his motorcycle, he dropped the banana and kolanut on my head, he 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, he took to his heels on citing the man, the man chased him but he was unable to caught him, he came back and take me to my grandmother, he explained what happened to her,” she concluded.
To proof his case, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, photographs of the victim and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant, who spoke in his own defense through his counsel Oluwaseun Oyebanji and called no witness, denied committing the offence but pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his ruling, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, “In this event, the victim consistently, unequivocally and unshaking stated that the defendant who was well known to her was the person who raped her.
“In all, I find proved 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”.