An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced Olamilekan Ajewole, 33, to life imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl, while a co-accused was acquitted

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hild rape sentence has been handed down by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, with a 33-year-old man, Olamilekan Ajewole, receiving life imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl.

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However, a co-accused, 25-year-old Ayo Omoyajowo, was discharged and acquitted of the crimes.

The duo had been arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and rape. The charge read, “That the defendants on 29th June,

2024 at Ayetoro Ekiti 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 recounted the harrowing incident, stating that the first defendant, Olamilekan Ajewole, entered and locked the room where she was eating in the second defendant’s house before grabbing her from behind.

“I shouted, but he covered my mouth with his palm. He removed my pant and forcibly had sex with me,” she tearfully narrated.

“Thereafter, he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to clean the blood. I wept because of the pain. When I got home, I narrated what happened to my father.”

The prosecutor, O.B Ayeleso, presented a strong case, calling five witnesses and tendering key exhibits including the defendants’ statements, a CD ROM, a flash drive, a medical report, and other relevant medical documents.

Olamilekan Ajewole, speaking through his lawyer, notably exonerated the second defendant, Ayo Omoyajowo, stating that she knew nothing about the incident. He also called one witness in his defence.

In his judgement delivered on Monday, Justice Adekunle Adeleye carefully weighed the evidence presented. “I find no inferable circumstance linking the second defendant (Omoyajowo) to the commission of rape with the first defendant.

She is hereby acquitted and discharged,” Justice Adeleye pronounced, clearing Omoyajowo of any wrongdoing.

However, the judge found the evidence against Ajewole compelling. “On the whole, the prosecution has established the essential ingredients of the offence of rape against the first defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

He is found guilty as charged,” Justice Adeleye stated.

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“Consequently, the first defendant (Ajewole) 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 concluded, sending a clear message about the state’s stance on crimes against children.