Michael Ofulue,Osogbo
For allegedly raping a female undergraduate student, Osun State Police Command on Monday arraigned a 29-year-old Fasade Ezekiel Adesoji, before an Osogbo Magistrate Court.
Adesoji, who is currently observing his one year National Youth Service Corps in Kwara State, was arrested by the Police February 2024, after allegedly committing the crime.
The female victim (names withheld) was said to have gone to Soji’s room behind Nawarudeen Primary School, Oke-Baale area, Osogbo Local Government Area of the state, to put some fruits in his fridge when Adesoji, who is her neighbour, allegedly forced her to bed.
The victim, it was learnt, lives off-campus and had gone to Adesoji’s apartment with her friend on the night of Friday, February 16, 2024.
“After the two ladies got into the suspect’s place, the victim’s friend reportedly left the room immediately after plugging her phone to attend to other things but before she could return to check her phone, her friend had been screaming in the room as Adesoji, also known as SOJ, allegedly raped her twice,”report said.
The Corps member, who was said to be serving in Ilorin, Kwara State, but often visits Osogbo, allegedly threatened to kill the victim with a bottle if she failed to allow him satisfy his sexual desire.
It was further learnt that the suspect refused to open his door when neighbours were banging it repeatedly and trying to rescue the female undergraduate.
According to a witness account, it was after a vigilante officer in the area visited the defendant’s apartment with a gun and shot into the air, that the suspect opened the door and freed the victim in the wee hours of Saturday, February 17 before a team of policemen later arrived and arrested Soji.
The police having concluded their investigation docked Adesoji, a Microbiology graduate of Igbajo Polytechnic on four count-charges bordering on rape, indecent assault and unlawful detainment of the victim at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court.
The charge indicated that Adesoji allegedly raped the lady on the February 16, 2024 at about 9:00pm at Oke-Baale area, Osogbo, indecently assaulted her and also detained her against her consent with purpose of forcefully having her carnal knowledge.
According to the charge, the accused person committed offences contrary to and punishable under Section 2(2) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Osun State 2021; Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Laws of Osun State 2007; Sections 360 and 361 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
A perusal of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law reveals that a convicted rapist risks life imprisonment.
However, Adesoji pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
His counsel, L. O. Akinwande prayed the court to admit him to bail and assured that he would make available reliable sureties. He informed the court that Adesoji is a serving Corps member in Kwara State.
The prosecution did not object to the bail application.
Magistrate Oyindamola Daramola granted the accused bail on the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in the same amount.
She said one of the sureties must be a homeowner while the other must be a biological parent or sibling of the defendant who bears the same surname with him.
The case was adjourned till May 10, for hearing. However, Adesoji was taken to Ilesa Correctional Centre after he could not meet up his bail conditions.