An Ibadan-based herbalist, Sultan Ojuwoni (also known as Atakoro), has been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for alleged multiple sexual assault and arson.
The Guardian gathered that the herbalist raped a 21-year old fashion design apprentice. The victim, Firdaus Jimoh, was said to have been serially raped and set ablaze by Atakoro at his Ibadan shrine.
According to a police source, the victim had sought refuge with her mum’s friend, one Omowumi, after a disagreement with her mother in Ilorin.
According to the source, “Firdaus went to temporarily live with her mum’s friend, Omowumi, when she had minor domestic differences with her mother because the house was closer to the fashion designer shop where she was an apprentice.”
However, after a few days in Omowumi’s house, the woman declared her gold trinkets were missing and suspected Firdaus.
“Omowumi called and intimated Firdaus’ mother of her missing jewelries, threatening to invite the police. She took Firdaus and her own children, Medinat and Ayinde, to B Division police station as suspects. They left the police station, Ilorin, shortly afterwards and headed to Atakoro’s house in Ibadan for traditional consultation,” the source added.
Atakoro was said to have inquired and confirmed that none of the trio of Medinat, Ayinde and Firdaus stole the jewelries.
“Not satisfied, Omowumi insisted that Firdaus stole her jewelries and as such should be ‘spiritually’ checked thoroughly,” the source said.
The police source explained: “According to Firdaus, Omowumi then asked that Firdaus be left with the herbalist who allegedly pushed her back into his ‘power house’ and made kneel. Atakoro poured whiskey on her before hitting her with charm on the chest. When she recovered later, she realised she was on fire, it was Ayinde who rushed for water…”
On seeing this, Omowumi left Firdaus with Atakoro while she and her children went to sleep elsewhere.
“Atakoro later went into Firdaus after rubbing a charm on her genitals before forcefully having carnal knowledge of her twice before day break.”
Medical doctors reportedly confirmed that Firdaus suffered bruises from multiple rape and had only just been deflowered.
Kwara State Police launched a manhunt for Atakoro last Friday and Saturday. He was arrested in Lagos and brought to Ilorin. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adetoun Adeyemi, confirmed the incident, saying: “The court did not sit today but we hope it will (today.)
