An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced one Olukayode Dayo, a former officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to life imprisonment over an offence of rape.

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

The charge reads that Olukayode Dayo on December 25, 2021 at Ado-Ekiti within the jurisdiction of Ado-Ekiti court did rape a 13-year-old girl names 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.

In his statement to the police, the victim said, “I lived with my grandmother. I was sent home to bring bananas and kolanut, on my way home, one man called Olukay (the defendant) crossed me with his motorcycle. He dropped the banana and kolanut on my head and carried me to a fenced uncompleted building.

“I shouted but he did not listen to me. He removed my pants and started having sex with me. A passerby who heard my voice entered the compound. He then took to his heels on sighting the man. The man chased him but he was unable to catch him. He returned and took me to my grandmother and explained what happened to her.”

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

The defendant, who spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Oluwaseun Oyebanji, denied committing the offence.

But he pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and he called no witness.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, in the 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 proof 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 ruled.

(NAN)