Man sentenced to life in prison after Governor’s Office ensured his arrest
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
One Oluwafemi Jaiyeoba, 56, has been sentenced by a court to spend all the latter part of his life in jail for raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter on multiple occasions.
An Ado Ekiti High Court on Monday found him guilty of the one-count charge of rape preferred against him by the police.
The charge read: “That the defendant on October 26, 2020, at Ado Ekiti did rape a 14-year-old girl, contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
The victim was in primary six at the time but is now at least 20 years old.
“My mother got married to the defendant, we were not living together, but he used to sleep in our house especially when my mother was not at home or travelled,” she recounted to the court.
“On October 26, 2020, my mother travelled to Lagos and the defendant slept in our house. At midnight, he woke up and forcibly had sex with me.
“Thereafter, blood was gushing out of my private part. I called my mother when she returned the following morning, but he denied.
“He continued the act anytime my mother was not around. I used to tell my mother on her arrival, but she did nothing about it. When she noticed that I was telling my mother about his continuous sexual activity with me, he started threatening me.”
The victim said she reported the matter at the Governor’s Office following a woman’s advice, which led to Jaiyeoba’s arrest.
Prosecutor Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered as exhibits medical reports and the defendant’s statement.
Jaiyeoba, who was granted bail two years ago, spoke in his own defence. His lawyer, Oladele Adedeji, called one witness.
Judge Adekunle Adeleye ruled that the court found Jaiyeoba guilty of the offence.
His words: “I am of the humble view that the sexual intercourse sessions were on several occasions. It was not a one-off affair.
“And upon careful analysis of the entire circumstance of this case, the change in story or outright denial by the defendant is an afterthought.
“The prosecution has established the offence of rape against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
“He is accordingly found guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to life imprisonment as provided for under the provisions of Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7 Law of Ekiti State, 2012.”
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