Ekiti Court Frees Man Accused of Defiling Teenager
A man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Ekiti State, Nigeria, has been acquitted and discharged by an Ekiti State High Court.
Adeyemi Olawale was charged with one count of rape on February 15, 2022, after allegedly raping the girl on September 11, 2021, in Ilupeju Ekiti. However, Justice Adeniyi Familoni acquitted and discharged him due to the failure of the prosecution to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The victim had stated that she went with her brother to visit the defendant, who was her grandfather’s driver. While her brother watched television, the defendant called her to show her something in another apartment. They hugged, but she soon felt a shock in her body, and the defendant started kissing and romancing her.
When she discovered that he wanted to have sex with her, she asked him to use a condom, but he already had one in his pocket.
When he could not penetrate her, she asked him to stop, and they left the apartment. She later called one of her cousins in the United States of America to inform her of what had happened.
The prosecutor, Ajibulu-Ariyo Taiwo, called five witnesses and tendered statements of the victim and defendant as exhibits. The defendant, who spoke through his counsel, Sunday Ochayi, denied raping the girl, stating that they only romanced and kissed, and when he discovered that she was a virgin, he left her alone.
Justice Familoni based his decision on the inability and failure of the prosecution to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. He declared that the defendant was acquitted and discharged, saying,
“Given the inability and failure of the prosecution to prove the alleged rape of the victim by the defendant on September 11, 2021, at Ilupeju Ekiti, the defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted.”
Rape is a serious offence, and perpetrators must face the full weight of the law. However, it is equally important to ensure that the rights of the accused are protected, and that justice is done in a fair and transparent manner.
The burden of proof lies with the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. In this case, the prosecution failed to do so, and the defendant was acquitted and discharged.
Cases of rape and sexual assault are prevalent in Nigeria, and there have been calls for stiffer penalties for perpetrators.
The Nigerian government has also launched several initiatives to address the problem, such as the Sexual Offenders Register, which aims to keep track of convicted sex offenders and prevent them from reoffending.
However, more needs to be done to ensure that victims receive justice and that perpetrators are held accountable for theiEkiti court frees man accused of defiling teenagerr actions.