A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, has ordered the remand of a medical doctor in the employment of the state, Olayode Shakiru, for allegedly assaulting and raping a teenage girl.
Shakiru was arrested last week Thursday by a team of policemen from Oke-Baale Police Division in Osogbo, capital of the state, after the family members of the 18-year-old girl reported the matter.
After completion of investigation by the state Criminal Investigation Department, Shakiru, aged 33, was dragged before the court on Thursday and slammed with two counts bordering on indecent assault and unlawful rape.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Elisha Olusegun, had appeared in court for the prosecution of the matter, before two counsel from the state’s Ministry of Justice announced their appearances and the decision of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun to take over the prosecution of the matter.
The two chief state counsel that appeared for the state to prosecute the matter are Mosunmola Ogunkola and Motolani Shokefun.
While Barrister Muideen Adeoye appeared for the defendant, a team of lawyers from the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Osun State chapter, including O. O. Olabiyi, Susan Ajeigbe, Temiloluwa Omidiji, Hassana Abdullahi watched briefs for the victims.
The prosecution informed the court through the charge sheet obtained by The Guardian that Olayode Shakiru on July 17, 2024 at Garage-llesa area, Osogbo, Osun State, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did unlawfully rape one girl (name withheld) and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
The accused person was said to have unlawfully and indecently assaulted the girl at the same place and time, an offence that is punishable under section 360 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
Shakiru, who was weeping profusely in the dock during proceedings, pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him.
His lawyer made an attempt to ask for an oral bail application but the presiding Chief Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, asked that the defence team should approach the court with a formal bail application.
Ayilara then ordered that the medical doctor be remanded in the Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till September 9 for mention.
The magistrate also ordered that the police should handover the case file to the Ministry of Justice.
The victim had claimed that the medical doctor had promised to offer him a job at his hospital and that he allegedly raped him after inviting him to his house to sign the employment paper.
