Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Raping College Student in Ekiti

A 25-year-old man, Fajana Olajide, was sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ekiti State High Court for the rape of a 17-year-old girl, as established by her testimony and evidence presented in court.

A High Court in Ekiti State, located in Ado Ekiti, has sentenced a 25-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of a 17-year-old student.

The convict, Fajana Olajide, faced Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on January 18, 2024, for a single charge of rape. The charge states that on July 14, 2023, in Ikere Ekiti, within the court’s jurisdiction, the defendant raped a 17-year-old girl, in violation of section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

During her testimony, the victim explained, “I was a student and apprentice learning makeover techniques. I was on my way to our shop in the Ijoka area of Ikere Ekiti when I encountered the defendant. He called out to me, and when I didn’t respond, he shouted, causing me to feel scared and approach him. He told me that I had a family curse preventing me from succeeding in life and insisted I follow him to his house. He demanded that I bring some salt, which I went home to retrieve.

Upon returning, he commanded me to undress. I complied, and he handed me an egg to rub on my body, which he then broke into a bucket containing black and red threads. He ordered me to lie on the bed and engage in sexual intercourse with him, claiming I would need to pay him #16,000 to complete the ritual. When I said I only had N3,000 in my account, I went to withdraw it from a P.O.S. for him. After he accepted the money, he commanded me to undress once more and lie on the bed. However, when he attempted to initiate sex again, I regained my senses and refused, managing to leave the premises.

Afterwards, he continuously called my phone, but I chose not to answer. When I returned home, I told my mother what had transpired, despite his warnings not to speak about it lest I die.”

To substantiate the case, the prosecutor, Adetola Johnson, presented three witnesses and introduced the defendant’s statements as evidence. The defendant defended himself through his lawyer but did not call any witnesses.

In his ruling, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye stated, “The unavoidable conclusion is that the defendant’s guilt has been established beyond a reasonable doubt, warranting his conviction. Therefore, he is convicted as charged and sentenced to life imprisonment.”