Two boys have been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, over rape.
According to The PUNCH, the convicts, Salau Adams (21) and Odeleye Tobi (21), were arraigned on May 13, 2022, on one count of rape.
The charge read, “The defendants on February 28, 2022, at Awo Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun council of Ekiti State, did conspire to rape a 14-year-old-girl, contrary to Section 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State and Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
In her statement to the police, the victim said, “On that day, I was hawking fried meat. Adams and Tobi bought meat worth N100 each; they pretended to bring out money, but instead, Adams brought out a black handkerchief. I decided to leave and report them to my mother. When I turned, Tobi held and carried me from the back, while Adams covered my mouth with the black handkerchief.
“They carried me to a nearby bush behind their house. Adams first forcibly had sex with me and Tobi did the same. Thereafter, they ran away. I went back home crying, with bloodstains on my clothes.”
The prosecutor, Adeola Arogundade, presented eight witnesses as well as the defendants’ statements and a medical report as exhibits.
The offenders addressed the court through their counsel, who asked for leniency on the grounds that the convicted were young and might yet contribute to society.
Justice Olalekan Olatawura, who sentenced the two youths to life imprisonment, said, “The crime of rape and defilement of children in this jurisdiction is fast assuming a frightening dimension; it is the duty of the court to send the right signal to would-be rapists.
“The only way to discourage this dastardly and bestial act would be to punish those found guilty severely. I therefore hold that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants had sexual intercourse with the victim and it was not consensual.
“From the proved facts, it can be inferred and I so hold that the defendants conspired to commit the offence of rape.”
