An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced one Olamilekan Ajewole to life Imprisonment for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Ajewole (33) and one Ayo Omoyajowo (25) were arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Adekunle Adeleye on two counts bordering on conspiracy and rape.
Omoyajowo was however discharged and acquitted of the crimes by the court.
The judge said the crime is contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.
The victim, in her statement to the police, said, “Around 6pm, I went to my father’s friend’s house, Mr. Akogba, and met his wife Aunty Ayo, who gave her food. I sat on the floor eating; she was also eating. after some time, the defendant (A.K.A Paskolo) knocked on the foor and came in.
“At this time, Aunty Ayo had finished eating and went out. The defendant sat on the bed; when I finished eating, I stood up to go outside but the door was locked. Then the defendant grabbed me from behind; I was shouting but he covered my mouth with his palm. He forcefully removed my underwear and raped me.
“Thereafter, he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to clean the blood. When I got home, I narrated what happened to my father.”
The prosecutor, O.B Ayeleso, called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, CD ROM, flash drive, medical report and medical documents as exhibits to prove his case.
The convict, who spoke through his lawyer and called one witness, exonerated the second defendant, Omoyajowo, saying that she knew nothing about the incident.
Delivering his judgement, Justice Adeleye said, “I find no inferable circumstance linking the second defendant (Omoyajowo) to the commission of rape with the first defendant. She is hereby discharged and acquitted.
“Consequently, the first defendant (Ajewole) is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment as provided for by Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.”
