Rape Of Teenager By Teacher, Nollywood Actor: Osun Magistrate’s Absence Stalls Case

The absence of Magistrate A. A. Ajibade of an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Osun state has stalled the trial of a civil servant in the state, Mr Gbenga Samson Ayenioye, and his friend, a Nollywood Actor, Mr Tunde AmokeOja, over alleged rape of a teenager ((name withheld).

The matter had been adjourned to December 30, 2020 for hearing but when our Correspondent got to the court, it was learnt that Magistrate Ajibade did not come to court.

It was further gathered that the Magistrate was on leave.

The matter had been adjourned more than two times without a headway.

When the accused persons were arraigned by the Police on October 7, 2020, the matter was presided over by Magistrate Opeyemi Badmus who ordered the remanded of the duo and adjourned it till November 19, 2020 for hearing.

Few days after the remand of the accused persons in Ilesa Prison custody, Magistrate Badmus was transferred to another town in the state and was replaced with Magistrate Ajibade.

After spending some days in prison custody, the accused persons were granted bail by Magistrate Ajibade. Thereafter, the case was adjourned till December 30, 2020 for hearing.

Upon Ajibade’s absence, the court has fixed February 10, 2021 for hearing.

The prosecuting counsel from the State Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi and the defence counsel, Abimbola Ige were said to have agreed on the new adjourned date.

The Police, after the victim’s complaints, through a Non Governmental Organisation in the state, Value Female Network (VFN), had dragged the duo to court on a three count-charge of conspiracy, rape and indecent assault on the 16-year-old girl.

According to the charge sheet, the 46 year-old Ayenioye, and AmokeOja, aged 38, committed the offence in the month of February, 2020, at Latona area and Delightful Gold hotel, Osogbo.

The police informed the court that the duo conspired, indecently assaulted and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the girl.

The offences committed by the accused persons were said to be contrary to and punishable under section 31(1)(2) of the Child Rights Law of Osun state 2007, Section 516 and 360 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol ll, Law of Osun State 2002.

A Police Officer, Idoko John, had appeared for the prosecution before a lawyer from the Osun State Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi, made an oral application to take over the prosecution of the matter.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against them.