From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti yesterday sentenced an official of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps,(NSCDC) Dayo Olukayode to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl.

The 39-year old convict was arraigned before Justice Lekan Olatawura on May 13, 2022 on one count charge of rape.

According to the charge, ” Dayo Olukayode on December 25, 2021, at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the court did rape a 13-year old girl(name withheld).

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.

To proof his case, the state counsel, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, photographs of the victim and medical report as exhibits.

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 kola nut, 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 catch him, he came back and took me to my grandmother, he explained what happened to her,” she concluded.

The defendant through his counsel, Oluwaseun Oyebanji, denied committing the offence but pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy, he called no witnesses.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, “in this event, the victim consistently, unequivocally and unshakingly 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 December 25, 2021 and consequent thereupon, I find him guilty as charged.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment”, the judge held.