Ekiti RTEAN boss remanded over alleged rape

By Victor Akinkuolie,  Ado-Ekiti
|
A chieftain of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ekiti State branch, Henry Ayokunle, has been remanded in prison by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate court for allegedly molesting an under-aged girl.

The police charged Ayokunle, identified as a chieftain of the drivers union in one of the branches in the state, before the court for commiting the offence which contravened section 2(2) of the Ekiti State Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Amended Law, 2019.

Chief Magistrate Abdulhamid Lawal, did not take the defendant’s plea, because the court lacked the jurisdiction

Lawal, therefore, ordered that Ayokunle be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, pending the issuance of legal advice from the Ekiti State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He adjourned the case until February 3 for mention

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on 28th December, 2019 in Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area.

He was alleged to have hanged out with the 17-year-old girl, and while coming back, he took her to the bush and allegedly had carnal knowledge of the victim.

The prosecutor urged the court to grant him short adjournment by remanding the defendant in prison.

He noted that the move would give him the opportunity to seek legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The court did not listen to several pleas made by the accused.