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An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday sentenced a
school proprietor, Mr Babatunde Ibitoye, to 10 years
imprisonment after finding him guilty of raping a 10-year old pupil
of his school.
Ibitoye, owner of God’s Grace Nursery and Primary School,
located at Fayemi Market, Agric Olope Area, Ajilosun in the state
capital city, committed the offence on June 10, 2013.
In her brief judgement, Justice Toyin Abodunde, said evidence by
the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict
had sexually abused the victim, who was her pupil as at the time
the offence was committed.
The trial judge agreed with the averment of the Director of Public
Prosecution and the victim’s evidence that the defendant was
caught at the scene of the incident.
“I rely heavily on the evidence of the victim that the defendant
had been having sexual relationship with her before he was
caught. That some of the teachers even gave evidence that she
bled profusely few days before that time further confirmed that
she had been sexually abused.
“The fact that the defendant was caught pants down was enough
to prove that the accused person committed the offence contrary
to section 31(c) of the Ekiti State Child Rights Law 2013 and he
is hereby sentenced to ten years imprisonment without option of
fine.”
Ibitoye was caught on the June 10, 2013 in a bush near Fayemi
market, where he was said to have sexually abused the victim
under the guise that he was taking her home after the school
hours.
On that day, Ibitoye was said to have carried three other pupils in
his bus and drove towards a bushy area near the market to
excrete, but only to enter the bush with the victim.
Before entering the bush, Ibitoye reportedly sent other pupils on
different errands.
But some auto mechanics operating within the vicinity suspected
him and immediately tip-toed towards the bush where they
caught the convict having carnal knowledge of the pupil.
He was apprehended by the people and handed over to the
Police at Ologede station in Ado Ekiti for onward transfer to the
police headquarters for prosecution.
The then government of Governor Kayode Fayemi immediately
ordered the closure of the school and it has not been reopened
since.
The Chairperson, Federation of International Female Lawyers, Mrs
Rita Ilevbaren, who commended the judgement, urged the victims
of rape to always speak out.
Ilevbaren lauded the State Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and the
victim’s parents for diligent prosecution of the case, describing
this as a landmark in the battle against rampancy of rape in the
State.
~punch
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