An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has convicted one Ajewole Olamilekan to life imprisonment, while it discharged and acquitted Omoyajowo Ayo, who were both arraigned for conspiracy and rape.

Ajewole Olamilekan (33) and Omoyajowo Ayo (25) were arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on two count charge bordering on conspiracy and rape.

The charge reads that the defendants on 29th June, 2024 at Ayetoro Ekiti within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to rape a 10 year old girl, contrary to 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, “Around 6: 00 pm, I went to my father’s friend house, Mr Akogba, I met his wife Aunty Ayo, she gave me food, I sat on the floor eating, she was also eating, after some time, the defendant, (A.K.A Paskolo) knocked the door 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 has been locked, the defendant grabbed me from behind, I was shouting, he covered my mouth with his palm, he removed my pant and forcefully insert his penis into my Vagina, thereafter, he brought out an handkerchief from his pocket and used it to clean the blood.

“I was weeping because my Vagina was paining me, when I got home, I narrated what happened to my father.”

To prove his case, the prosecutor, O.B Ayeleso called five witnesses and tendered defendant’s statements, CD ROM, Flash Drive, Medical report and Medical documents as exhibits, Ajewole Olamilekan spoke through his lawyer in his own defense, he exhornorated the 2nd defendant (Omoyajowo Ayo), that she knew nothing about the incident, he called one witness.

In his judgement, Justice Adeleye said, “I find no inferable circumstance linking the 2nd defendant (Omoyajowo Ayo) to commit rape with the 1st defendant she is hereby discharged and acquitted.

“On the whole, the prosecution has established the essential ingredients of the offence of rape against the 1st defendant beyond reasonable doubt, he is found guilty as charged.

“Consequently, the 1st defendant (Ajewole Olamilekan) 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, the judge pronounced.”