BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
One Joseph Ahuwa has been alleged of raping a 15-year-old public school student (name withheld), in Osogbo, Osun State.
Ahuwa, a car wash employee, was said to have ambushed the Junior Secondary School 3 student along Aresa area, in Osogbo, around 2pm on Friday, September 24, 2021, while she was returning home from school.
It was gathered that the cry of the victim attracted some passersby to the scene.
Ahuwa was said to have taken to his heels at the arrival of some residents of the area who came to rescue the girl.
However, luck ran against him as they chased and arrested him. After being beaten, the suspect was reportedly handed over to the police.
In an interview with The Point, the victim’s mother, who spoke in confidence, explained that her daughter was returning from school when the incident happened.
She said, “I was at the market to sell my wares on that day. Some neighbours ran to my shop and told me that a man had been arrested by some people for raping my daughter. I quickly ran to the police station to see my daughter. I later took her to the clinic for examination in company with a police officer.”
Meanwhile, Ahuwa has been dragged before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court over allegations of rape and assault.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun, informed the court that the defendant unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the 15-year-old girl around 2pm on September 24, 2021, at Aresa area of Osogbo.
The accused person was said to have committed offences contrary to and punishable under Section 31(1)(2) of the Child’s Rights Laws of Osun State 2007 and Section 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II Laws of the state, 2002.
Ahuwa pleaded not guilty to the two-count-charge bothering on rape and indecent assault.
The defence counsel, T. O. Olatunbosun, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring that he (Ahuwa), would provide reliable sureties.
Presiding Magistrate, M. A. Olatunji, ordered the defence counsel to furnish the court with written bail application.
Olatunji ordered that the defendant should be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre pending the date of adjournment, adding that the prosecution should forward the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Osun State Ministry of Justice, for legal advice.
The matter was adjourned till December 9 for mention.
