Man, 30, Docked Over Rape Of Lady, 25, On Her Way Home From Church 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

It was a nasty experience for a 25-year old lady, who went to church for spiritual deliverance prayers and while returning to her house, she was raped by a labourer in Ondo State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 30-year-old man, Karimu Jimoh Friday, who was behind the alleged dastardly act has been arrested, charged before the Court and remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure, for allegedly raping the victim.

The Presiding Magistrate, Taiwo Lebi of the Akure Magistrate Court, directed that the defendant be kept in custody until 8th January, 2026, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defendant was arrested by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command following a complaint lodged at the Igbara-Oke Police Station on 29th March, 2025, by the victim and a member of her church fellowship.

He was subsequently charged for rape under the Criminal Law of the State and remanded in custody over his alleged conduct against the complainant.

The prosecutor, Augustine Omhenimhen, told the Court that the incident happened around 6:30 p.m. at Isarun, Oke Ilesha Street, Igbara-Oke, Ondo State.

Mr. Omhenimhen alleged that the suspect unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim while she was returning from church, adding that Karimu had been on the run for six months before his eventual arrest.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 3 (a and b) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2021, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The prosecutor, Mr. Omhenimhen, urged the Court to remand the defendant in the correctional facility pending DPP’s advice, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.

However, the defendant, in his oral response, denied the allegation, insisting he was innocent and had only come to the community to work as a labourer.
The victim insisted and while narrating her ordeal stated:

“I was returning from church that evening, carrying something on my head, when I saw the man and greeted him. To my surprise, he started following me. I tried to run, but he caught up with me, strangled me until I became weak, and raped me.”

“After the incident, I rushed back to the church and told my fellowship members, who took me to the hospital for tests. The next day, we reported the case to the Police, who began a search for him.”

“For six months, the Police arrested several men for identification, but he was not among them. On this fateful day, I was walking along the same route when I saw him on a motorcycle with his boss. I followed him discreetly and later informed one of my fellowship members, which led to his arrest.”

The defence counsel, O. B. Salami, argued that the victim had previously told the Police that the defendant was not the person who raped her, claiming his client was wrongfully accused.

The Counsel, Salami, pleaded with the Court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, saying there was no sufficient ground for his remand.

After reviewing the case file and listening to both parties, Magistrate Lebi ordered the remand of the defendant in custody and directed thw prosecutor to duplicate the file and to the DPP for advice.

The matter was adjourned till 8th January, 2026, for mention for the report of DPP’s advice to be ready.