By Boluwatife Akinola

Two middle aged men, Tomiwa Apata and Olajide Babagbemi, alleged of raping a 13-year-old girl, have been remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrate Court.

The duo were on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Damilola Sekoni, by the men of the Ondo State Security outfit codenamed Amotekun Corps, on two counts of conspiracy and rape.

State counsel, P.O Nwafor, informed the court that the defendants committed the offences on November 9, 2023, at Asawa Forest Oka-Akoko, Ondo State.

Nwafor alleged that the defendants conspired to rape a 13-year-old girl,  (nameswithheld), after taking her to a rockside in the bush.

The charge read in parts, “ That you, Tomiwa Apata and Olajide Babogbemi, on or about November 9, 2023, at about 3:00 pm at Asawa Forest Oke-Akoko, Ondo State within the Criminal Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to commit a felonious offence to wit; rape.”

“That you, Apata Tomiwa and Babagbemi Olajide, did rape the victim, by taking her to a rockside in a bush and forcefully removing her cloth and having carnal knowledge of her.”

According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 516 and 357 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

Though the defendants’ pleas were not taken, they denied the allegations.

The prosecutor urged the court through an application, to remand the defendants at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defence counsel prayed  the court for bail of the defendants on most liberal terms.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the girl (victim) and her mother should appear before the court on the next adjournment date.

He adjourned the case till December 13, 2023, for ruling on the application.