MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 60-year old man, Samuel Gbadamosi, has been arrested for allegedly engaging his daughter’s 16-year old friend in sex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Obasekola Street, Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where he resides.
Following his arrest, he has been charged before the Magistrates Court sitting in Akure in Ondo State.
The prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Omhenemhen, told the Court, that the defendant forcefully had sexual intercourse with the teenager when she came to collect a textbook from his (defendant) daughter, who was her friend, which was an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 357 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, Nigeria, 2006.
However, the defendant admitted that he indeed had sexual intercourse with the minor, but pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of rape while insisting that he did not force himself on the minor as she had intercourse with him on her own volition.
“I did not force the girl, both of us agreed to have sex,” he said.
The prosecutor, then asked the Court to remand the defendant in a custodial centre and refer the matter to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
The counsel for the defendant, P.A. Amuluru, however, sought the bail of the defendant on liberal terms.
However, the Presiding Magistrate, O.R. Yakubu, ordered his remand in the Olokuta Custodial Centre pending advice from the DPP and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.
The matter was adjourned till 27th April, 2023, for mention for 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.
The defendant risks several years of imprisonment if the DPP report finds him culpable and recommends his trial for the alleged offence.