The Ado-Ekiti High Court on Wednesday sentenced a 31-year-old “Okada” rider, Ojo Adebayo, to life imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old girl.

The defendant was arraigned on one count charge of defilement before Justice Olalekan Olatawura in March.

Delivering judgment, Mr Olatawura held that the identification of the defendant by the victim as the person who raped her is not only compelling but credible.

“In all, I find established and proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution that the defendant and no other person defiled the minor.

”Consequently, thereupon, the defendant is found guilty as charged. He is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge held.

According to the charge, the defendant, on October 8, 2021, at Ilogbo Ekiti, in Ido/Osi LGA, within the court’s jurisdiction, defiled the girl.

This contradicts section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In her testimony before the court, the victim said, “On that day, he called me to get something for my grandmother when I was fetching water.

”When I got there, I stood by the door. He asked me to enter, but I refused. He forced me into his room and covered my mouth with his hand.”

She said he forced himself on her and warned her not to tell anyone.

Corroborating the girl’s testimony, her grandmother said she discovered that her granddaughter could not walk properly.

”I bought some drugs for her, and when I threatened to beat her, she told me what he did to her,” she said.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, called five witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits.

The convict spoke in his defence through his counsel, Toyin Oluwole, and called two witnesses.

(NAN)