BREAKING: Ekiti Court Jails Man for Life Over Rape of 10-Year-Old Girl

Co-Accused Acquitted as Judge Delivers Justice in Shocking Child Abuse Case

A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced 33-year-old Olamilekan Ajewole to life imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl. The judgement, delivered by Justice Adekunle Adeleye on Monday, also saw the court discharge and acquit 25-year-old Ayo Omoyajowo, who was initially charged alongside Ajewole.

The duo had been arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape, following an incident that occurred on June 29, 2024, at Ayetoro Ekiti. According to the charge, the act violated Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

In her statement to the police, the 10-year-old victim described how Ajewole locked the room where she was eating at Omoyajowo’s house, attacked her from behind, and forcibly raped her.

She said, “I shouted, but he covered my mouth with his palm. He removed my pant and forcibly had sex with me.”

“Thereafter, he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to clean the blood. I wept because of the pain. When I got home, I narrated what happened to my father”.

Olamilekan, who spoke through his lawyer, exonerated the second defendant, Omoyajowo, stating that she knew nothing about the incident and called one witness.

In his judgement, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, “I find no inferable circumstance linking the second defendant (Omoyajowo) to the commission of rape with the first defendant. She is hereby acquitted and discharged.”

“On the whole, the prosecution has established the essential ingredients of the offence of rape against the first defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He is found guilty as charged.

“Consequently, the first defendant (Ajewole) is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment as provided for by Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap.C7, Laws of Ekiti State 2012”, the judge pronounced.”