P.M.EXPRESS reports that the man, Jimoh, was sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine by the Ekiti State High Court Judge, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, for defiling the victim.
The alleged rape took place at Ilupeju in Ado Ekiti area of Ekiti State. He was arraigned before Justice Ogunmoye on one count charge of rape.
The charge read, “That Daudu Jimoh on 27/9/2019 at Ilupeju Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did rape a nine (9) year old girl, contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012″.
In her evidence before the Court, the victim said, “I attended a Nursery/Primary School in Ilupeju Ekiti, Baba cooler (the convict) was our landlord. He has been having sex with me for four times before my sister caught us on that day”.
“Whenever he had sex with me, I was always afraid to tell my mother because he had warned me not to tell anybody or else I will die,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, called four witnesses and tendered defendant statements and medical report as exhibits. While the convict, who spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, confessed to have committed the offence but denied penetrating her during the period in question.
In his judgment, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye said, the confessional statements of the defendant, both written and oral showed without equivocation that the defendant indeed committed the offence.
The Judge ruled that the prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant and he was found guilty as charged having the sole issue for determination was resolved in favour of the prosecution.
“Therefore, he is convicted as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment·” the Judge ruled.