By Ayodele Popoola

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For raping and impregnating his 15-year-old tenant’s daughter under the pretense of healing her of demonic spirit tormenting her, a 63-year-old pastor, Ajayi Famakinwa is to spend the next 18 years behind bars.

Justice Yemi Fasanmi of an Akure High Court  handed down the sentence on Famakinwa after he was found guilty of rape and defilement of his tenant’s daughter.

The convict was arraigned on February 2022 on two counts of rape and defilement along with sexual abuse and exploitation.

According to the charge, he committed the offence on April 13, 2021, severally, at Ayetoro Street, Ayede Ogbese, Akure North local government area, contrary to Section 31(1) of the Child’s Right Law,  Laws of Ondo State, 2012.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the state prosecutor, H.M Falowo, told the court that the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim, one Oluwatosin which resulted to pregnancy.

Falowo called four witnesses including the victim’s mother and tendered four exhibits which were admitted in evidence by the court.

Among the exhibits tendered were confessional statement of the convict where he admitted being responsible for the girl’s pregnancy, photographs of the victim during pregnancy, five litres keg of water and anointing oil.

She told the court that the defendant who was the victim parents’ landlord under the guise of healing her demonic spirit told her to come to his apartment for a special water and anointed oil.

According to  Falowo, when the victim entered the defendant’s room he covered her mouth, laid her on the floor and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the girl and  instructed her not to tell anyone about it.

The victim told the court that the defendant   sexually abused her three times in his room and once in the market stall at night after which she later noticed that she did not see her menstrual period.

Justice Fasanmi condemned the convict’s act for impregnating the poor girl, turning her to a struggling single mother.

“The defendant’s conduct, his admission of the crime to the Divisional Police Officer at Ayede Ogbese on October 17, 2021 in his voluntary confessional statement to be responsible for the pregnancy and other evidence of the prosecution amounted to sufficient corroboration that the defendant committed the offence.”

The court held that the oral evidence of the defendant at the witness box, denying being responsible for the pregnancy was an afterthought.

“Based on the above and in strict adherence to the provisions of the law, I have no alternative than to sentence the defendant  accordingly and I so hold.”

 “Though the defendant appeared remorseful in court, he is convicted as charged and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment,” the judge ruled.