By Ayodele Oni

A commercial vehicle driver in Ekiti state will spend the rest of his life behind the bars for not being able to control his sexual urge.

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti sentenced 42 year old Ilesanmi Adewale to life imprisonment for raping a 16 year old girl in Isan Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The convict, who was arraigned before Justice Monisola Abodunde on 16/12/2021 committed the offence on 13th February, 2021 at Isan Ekiti, when he raped a

16 year old girl.

The offence, according to law is contrary to section 31(2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In her statement to the Police, the victim said, “my father sent me to Iludun Ekiti from Isan Ekiti to bring his ATM card and a sum of N8, 000 he kept at home.

“On my way back to Isan, I boarded the convict’s car, I was alone with him in the car, he first touched my breast, I warned him to stop it.

“On getting to a bush between Isan and Iludun, he stopped the car, I opened the door and ran away, he chased and caught me.

“He carried me on his shoulder to a nearby bush with cutlass in his hand, he threatened to kill me with the cutlass if I refused to cooperate, he removed my pant and forcefully had sexual intercourse with me.

“During the process, I was shouting, I bit his hands, and tore his cloth, yet he refused to leave me. He had collected my father’s ATM card and N8, 000 from me, he gave it back to me and begged me not to tell my father.

“When I got back to the road, I saw my father on a motorcycle, I narrated what happened to him, the driver was arrested and later taken to the Police station.”

To proof his case, the prosecutor Folashade Alli called three witnesses and tendered one pant, a big cutlass, medical report, defendant statements among others as exhibits.

The defendant in his own defense, spoke through his counsel, T.J. Omidoyin, but called no witness.

In his judgment, Justice Abodunde said, “the crime of rape of minor is assuming a frightening dimension in this jurisdiction.

“I cannot contradict the terms imposed by the law. The mandatory provision is that, once a defendant is convicted of rape, he is liable to imprisonment for life.

“Based on the above reasoning and in strict adherence with the provisions of the law, I have no alternative than to sentence the defendant to life imprisonment and I so hold.”

By Adesina Soyooye

A former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, has relieved a little of his ordeal in the hands of Kidnappers. He will tell the full story later.

Agbaje, a Professor of Political Science, currently on sabbatical at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, where he is The Chair of the Oba Sikuru Adetona Institute For Governance, was kidnapped on Friday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 6.00pm.

Agbaje was released Sunday evening after spending two gruelling nights in the forest with the Kidnappers.

Now in a hospital where he is undergoing full medical checks, he disclosed that he was shot on the head.

In a note of appreciation dated 31st, October, 2022, to his family, friends and colleagues who facilitated his release, which he authorised his son, Adewale Agbaje to release, Agbaje expressed deep concern for five other people who he left behind in the Kidnappers’ den.

The five people, he said,  are two young ladies (of same parents whose family say were on their way to a birthday Party), two young men, and a middle aged man.

His kidnappers had earlier asked for the sum of N50m as ransom money for his release, and the sum of N10m for each of the other five people. It is not known, yet, how much was paid to them before the Professor’s release. He was on his way to Ibadan when he was kidnapped.

Following is the full text of his statement,  as released by his son, Adewale.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Personal note of appreciation from Prof Adigun Agbaje, chair of the Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute for Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, and former DVC (Academics) of the University of Ibadan

“My father, Prof Adigun Agbaje, recently released by kidnappers, has asked me to issue the statement below on his behalf.

…..I was shot at the head

…..Am undergoing comprehensive health checks

“It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.

“My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle aged person.

“I was shot at in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.

“I am undergoing comprehensive health checks and so it may take some time to thank all my family, including my in-laws, friends and in-laws to my children, my own friends, colleagues and all Nigerians.

“For now I want to thank the following former and current Vice Chancellors of the University of Ibadan: Prof Olufemi Bamiro, Prof Isaac Adewole, Prof Idowu Olayinka and Prof Kayode Adebowale, my colleagues at the University of Ibadan and other Universities at home and abroad, current and former students, including Mr Fisayo Soyombo, for their wonderful support and generosity to my family, top government, military, and other security officials. I am quite grateful for all your efforts.

“You all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening.

“As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”