An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Monday sentenced a 19-year-old man, John Julius, to life imprisonment for raping a 35-year-old woman, Alice Ozar, in Efon Alaaye.
Justice John Adeyeye, who handed down the sentence, held that Julius was convicted for rape which is contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of Criminal Code Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2012.
The incident occurred on July 16, 2016 at Okemesi Road in Efon Alaaye while the convict was first arraigned in court on March 7 this year.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape and assault with intent to commit unnatural offence preferred against him.
The prosecution called three witnesses including the victim to prove the case while exhibits including the convict’s statement and victim’s pant were tendered and admitted.
Julius called his mother as a witness and also spoke in his own defence in the course of the trial.
The victim told the court that she was working on her farm on the fateful day while the convict pretended as if he wanted to help her which she obliged.
Ozar revealed that Julius kicked her and she fell to the ground after which he pinned her down, forcibly tore her pant and had carnal knowledge of her.
Justice Adeyeye held: “Unfortunately it will appear I have no discretion on the issue of sentence in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Lucky v State (Supra) where it was held thus: ‘Any person who commits the offence of rape be liable to imprisonment for life.
“Once the court convicts an accused person for the offence of rape as defined in Section 357 of the Code, it has no discretion but is bound to obey the law by imposing a term of imprisonment for life.
“Consequently, the defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Good for him

@kennygee this is serious. Why take kpekus by force?

Raping a woman old enough to be your mother.

Isn't that a curse?