By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti State Police Command has insisted that the House of Assembly candidate in Ado local government, Ayodele Babalola, actually committed the offence of ra*e he is being detained for.
The Command, dismissed insinuation that his arrest and subsequent detention on the order of a magistrate Court has to do with his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Some members of ADC had taken to streets in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, protesting the arrest and detention of Babalola, accusing the police of being used by the state government.
Spokesman of the command, Sunday Abutu, in a statement on Wednesday,
assured that the Command will continue to strictly and professionally maintain the principles of the rule of law and justice, and will not be moved by the ignorance and acclaimed wisdom of those who sit in the comfort of their homes to engage in hasty conclusions.
According to the statement, “On the 25th of May, 2026 at about 01:00hrs, one Bukola Oluwaseun ‘f’ “30yrs” came to Oke-Ila Divisional Police Headquarters and reported that the suspect, one Ayodele Babatola, forcefully had carnal knowledge of her at KIIBAT HOTEL, along Petim Estate, Adebayo Area, Ado-Ekiti on the night of 24th May 2026.
“She added that the suspect, in the process, also assaulted her and inflicted various degrees of injuries on her; the injuries, which were visible to the Police Officers on duty at that time.
“The victim stated that she met the suspect on the social media about three months ago while he was still living abroad, and they have been chatting since then.
“Upon arriving Nigeria and in Ado-Ekiti, they both agreed to meet at Captain Cook area in order to know each other physically.
“The victim claimed that the suspect drove her to the hotel with the plan to have some discussions.
“The victim allaged that on getting to the hotel, the suspect, without her consent, had carnal knowledge of her, inflicted injuries on her as a result of her refusal to cooperate with him, and immediately left the room to an unknown destination.
“She stated further that the suspect immediately blocked her phone number and all other means of communicating with him, and all efforts made to reach him proved abortive.
“Upon the receipt of the complaint, the suspect was invited, his statement was taken and after a preliminary investigation, the case was transferred to the State CID for a thorough investigation.
“During investigation, the suspect stated that he was provoked when the victim asked him for payment before having sexual intercourse with her.
“He claimed that he did not actually penetrate the victim before he got provoked by her request for financial compensation, but accepted that he left her in the room and deactivated all her means of reaching him.
“Meanwhile, the victim was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, and it showed and confirmed that there was penetration.
“The suspect was charged to court after investigation was concluded and currently being remanded in Correctional Service Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
“Members of the public are urged to disregard the allegation of illegal arrest and prosecution, as the case is based on a clear complaint which was thoroughly investigated, not based on any political reason as being speculated.
“The Command will continue to uphold fairness, justice, professionalism and respect for human rights, while maintaining that ‘the principle of rule of law must prevail.”
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