Court remands middle-aged man for raping minor in Osun

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

A 44-year-old man, Kazeem Olapade, has been remanded by an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly raping a minor.

The accused person allegedly committed the offence between August 2020 and January 2021, at Ido-Osun area in Osogbo.

The prosecutor, Inspector Jacob Akintunde told the court that the accused person assaulted and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a 14-year old girl (name withheld) without her consent.

He further said that the victim later opened up on the assault, leading to the arrest of the accused person and his arraignment in court.

The offence committed contravened Section 31 (1)(2) of the Child Right Laws of Osun, 2007 and Sections 214(1) and 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused person who is facing a three-count charge of assault, rape and unlawful sexual intercourse pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

His defence counsel, Mr Jimmy Jones prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal term, promising to provide reliable sureties.

The Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara in his ruling, overruled the bail application and ordered the remand of the accused person at Ilesa correctional centre due to the magnitude of the offence committed.

The case was adjourned till February 5, 2021 for consideration of bail application.