Ekiti Police defend the Ayodele Babatola rape probe, denying political influence and confirming prosecution after medical findings

The Ekiti State Police Command on Thursday defended the arrest and prosecution of Ayodele Babatola over an alleged rape case, dismissing claims circulating on social media that the matter was politically motivated or based on illegal arrest procedures.

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In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, the command said the case followed a formal complaint lodged by a 30-year-old woman, Bukola Oluwaseun, at the Oke-Ila Divisional Police Headquarters on May 25, 2026.

According to the police, the complainant alleged that Ayodele Babatola forcefully had sexual intercourse with her at KIIBAT Hotel located along Petim Estate in the Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti on the night of May 24.

The command stated that the woman also reported suffering physical assault during the encounter, adding that visible injuries were observed by officers on duty when the complaint was made.

Police authorities explained that the complainant told investigators she had met the suspect on social media about three months earlier while Ayodele Babatola was abroad, and that both parties later agreed to meet physically after his arrival in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the meeting reportedly took place around the Captain Cook area before both individuals proceeded to the hotel for discussions.

The police said the complainant alleged that the suspect acted without her consent and later abandoned her at the hotel before blocking all communication channels.

Following the complaint, the Ekiti State Police Command said Ayodele Babatola was invited for questioning and that the matter was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for what the command described as a thorough investigation.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly denied having sexual intercourse with the complainant, claiming he became angry after she allegedly demanded financial compensation before sex.

However, the police disclosed that a medical examination conducted on the complainant confirmed penetration, a development the command described as a crucial aspect of the investigation.

“The suspect was charged to court after investigation was concluded and currently being remanded in Correctional Service Centre, Ado-Ekiti,” the statement said.

The command strongly rejected allegations that the arrest and prosecution were influenced by political interests, insisting that the matter was handled in line with due process and the rule of law.

Describing some online reactions as emotionally charged and misleading, the police warned against hasty conclusions capable of undermining public confidence in the justice system.

The Ekiti State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, fairness and the protection of human rights, stressing that the investigation was driven strictly by evidence and legal procedures.

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The development has continued to generate public attention online, with the command urging residents to rely on verified information and avoid spreading speculative narratives capable of escalating tension.