Crime

Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Rape

Written by Blessing Owolabi on October 17, 2024

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A High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced Olaleye Jimoh, 31, to 20 years imprisonment for the rape of a 50-year-old woman. Jimoh was arraigned on July 5, 2022, before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on a charge of rape.

According to the charge sheet, the incident took place on January 22, 2021, when Jimoh “did rape a 50-year-old woman, contrary to Section 2 of the Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, No. 18 of 2019.”

The victim, in her police statement, narrated, “I went to pay a condolence visit to one of my business partners at the Abidoye Farm in Odo Owa Ekiti. On my way back home, I saw the defendant going towards the same route. As my neighbour, he offered to help me, and I agreed. At one point, he stopped and said he wanted to pick something at a nearby primary school. He asked me to hold something for him. I became unconscious immediately after I touched the substance. I later found myself in the bush where I discovered I had been raped.”

During the trial, prosecutor Funmi Bello called two witnesses and submitted evidence, including the defendant’s statements and a torn pant. Jimoh, represented by defense lawyer Adunni Olanipekun, denied the charge and brought forward three witnesses.

In his judgment, Justice Familoni declared, “It is my finding that the prosecution has proved the alleged offence of the rape of the victim beyond reasonable doubt, and the defendant is convicted as charged. Consequently, the defendant, Olaleye Jimoh, is hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence is with effect from the date he was arrested and detained.”