Dennis Erezi
A 17-year-old boy, Jibola Fakologbon, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by an Akure High Court for assaulting and raping a female student.
The convict who committed the crime at Ero, Igbara-Oke axis of Ifedore Local Council Area of Ondo State, was arraigned on a two-count charge after indecently touching and causing bodily harm to the victim as a student of Ero College of Education.
Fakologbon was also accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi handed down the judgement on the convict after he found him guilty of the offence, adding that the prosecution was able to prove its case of indecent assault and rape against the Fakologbon.
The offences, according to the prosecuting counsel, D.G. Kayode, contravened Sections 60 and 358 of the Criminal Code of Ondo State, 2016.
During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered six exhibits, which included the defendant’s and victim’s extra-judicial statements, the torn underwear of the victim, and a medical report. At the same time, the convict testified as a sole witness.
In her evidence before the court, the victim testified that on her way to her house on the day of the incident, the defendant accosted her and demanded money from her for food, but she refused to give him it.
She said, “I did not know the boy. He waylaid me on my way to my house and asked for N100. I refused to give it to him, and immediately he tried to forcefully touch my breast. While struggling with him, he hit me with a stick on the head, and I was unconscious.
“He carried me with my bag to an uncompleted building, tore my underwear, and had sexual intercourse with me.
“While trying to shout at the top of my voice, the defendant covered my mouth and left my stomach and vaginal area wounded.”
Delivering the judgement, Justice Fasanmi expressed satisfaction that the victim’s testimony that Fakologbon assaulted and had sexual intercourse with her was corroborated by medical reports and another exhibit before the court.
“There is ample evidence before the court that the defendant forcefully touched the victim’s breast and that she was sexually penetrated by the convict.
“The evidence is believable, unassailable, and credible that the victim tried to resist the convict rigorously.”
The judge subsequently sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment for the offence of indecent assault and 12 years imprisonment for the offence of rape, respectively.
“A total of 14 years of imprisonment shall commence from the convict’s first day in custody. The sentences shall run concurrently.”
