Men of the Osun State Police Command have arraigned two men before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo for allegedly raping a young girl (names withheld) in the state.
The suspects- Ademola Adeleye, 44, and 22-year-old Muhammad Adam, were on Wednesday, arraigned by the police on a six count-charge bearing on forceful sexual intercourse, assault, theft and public disturbance.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Adegoke, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on July 30, this year at about 8:pm at Balogunagoro Area, Osogbo.
According to Adegoke, the suspects had stormed the victim’s residence at night and had carnal knowledge of her in turns, while she was being gagged by her defilers.
The prosecutor also revealed that the accused persons carted away the victim’s Samsung Galaxy phone valued at N45,000, after forcing her to bed.
It was further learned that the victim had been taken to a spiritual healing centre for treatment as the accused persons were alleged to have raped her for ritual purpose.
Inspector Adegoke then argued that the offences committed by the accused persons were contrary to and punishable under Sections 358, 249(d), 390(a), 360, 516, 126 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume I, Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2003.
But Adeleye and Adam entered into not guilty pleas on the charges preferred against them.
Their counsel, Dauda Oyewale, sought bail for his clients in the most liberal terms, and assured the court that the accused would not abuse the bail privilege, if granted.
Objecting to the bail application, the prosecutor informed the court that the victim had been in a critical condition since she was allegedly defiled.
Adegoke said the case was ritual related, adding that it was rampant in the society and needed to be checked.
Delivering her ruling, Magistrate Adenike Olowolagba, refused the defence bail application and ordered that they be remanded at Ilesha prison custody.
Olowolagba asked the accused persons to approach the court with a written bail application and adjourned the matter till November 1.
