MICHAEL AKINOLA
Four Secondary School students of Eleyele Secondary School, Eleyele, Ibadan in Oyo State, have landed in trouble for allegedly conspiring and gang-raping their 16-year old classmate, who is a mentally challenged patient and they were caught in the act.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Police operatives from the Oyo State Command have arrested the four students.
The incident happened within the school premises, where both the suspects and the victim, who are minors were students.
The suspects (names withheld) were subsequently charged before the Family Court in Iyaganku, Oyo State for conspiracy and unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Folake Ewe, told the Court that the students, between January and 25th March, 2023, allegedly conspired and defiled a 16-year old female student, who is mentally challenged.
She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 516 of the Criminal Code and Section 34 of the Oyo State Child Rights Law 2006.
The defendants risk several years of imprisonment if they are found guilty by the Court despite the fact that they are still minors.
However, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Sumbo Adetuyibi, did not take their plea when they were arraigned due to lack of jurisdiction and ordered that they be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional facility if the juvenile correctional facility at Ijokodo, Ibadan does not accept them.
She adjourned the matter till 11th May, 2023, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.