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Court Sentences NSCDC Officer To Life Imprisonment For R@pe
A Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer was found guilty of raping a juvenile and was given a life sentence by the Ado Ekiti Division of the Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday, July 9.
A count of rape was brought against Olukayode Dayo, 39, on May 13, 2022.
The charge read, “That Olukayode Dayo on December 25, 2021, at Ado Ekiti did rape a 13 years old girl. The offence is 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 who was living with her grandmother, said, “I was sent home to go and bring banana and kolanut. On my way, a man called OluKay (the defendant) crossed me with his motorcycle, he dropped the banana and kola nut on my head.
“He dragged me to a fenced uncompleted building. He did not bother despite my cries. He removed my pants and started having sex with me. It was when a passerby who heard my voice came there that OluKay took to his heels. The man attempted to chase him, but he escaped. The man later took me to my grandmother.”
Mr. Julius Ajibare, the prosecution, presented six witnesses and submitted the defendant’s statement, the victim’s photos, and the medical report as exhibits.
Speaking via his attorney Oluwaseun Oyebanji, the defendant denied committing the crime but begged the court to balance justice and mercy.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Lekan Olatawura said, “In this event, the victim consistently, unequivocally and unshakenly stated that the defendant, who was well known to her, was the person who raped her”.
The judge, who said that the prosecutor proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant raped the minor on December 25, 2021, said, “In all, I find him guilty as charged. Consequent upon the foregoing, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment.”
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