By Ayodele Popoola

A 25-year-old man, Oke Ojo, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl during a town carnival.

The suspect, a shoemaker who allegedly had carnal knowledge of the teenager in his house,  blamed his action on the “devil”.

The incident happened on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Ogbagi-Akoko, Akoko North-West of Ondo.

It was gathered that Oke used one of the victim’s bosom friends to lure her into his room, pressed her neck and took advantage of her.

Unaware of the seriousness of the alleged crime, the suspect admitted that he had taken alcohol on that fateful day he invited the victim to his room and subsequently assaulted her sexually.

The victim, who narrated her ordeal to The Hope City, Crime & Courts, revealed that the suspect lured her into his room, tied her hand and pressed her neck before he forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

“I met the suspect during the carnival and he asked me out. But I told him I’m still a small girl.

“He later came back and told me that my friend(name withheld) was in his house waiting for me. So, I followed him and he dragged me inside his room and tied my hands. After increasing the volume of his radio, he had sexual intercourse with me,” the victim narrated.

The incident was reported to the Ogbagi-Akoko police station which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Upon his arrest, the police on Thursday arraigned Oke before an Akure Family Magistrates’ Court on  one-count charge of rape.

The prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 3, at 6:30p.m., at his residence in Ogbagi-Akoko, Ondo State.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the 16-year-old girl( name withheld). 

According to the charge sheet, the offence committed contravenes Sections 86(2) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.

The plea of the defendant was not taken due to the nature of the offence.

Olowofeso urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre, pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Magistrate B.A. Alphonso ordered the remand of the defendant in Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure and adjourned the matter till January 13, 2025, for ruling.