Man receives life sentence for raping 14-year-old in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 27-year-old Farotimi Samuel to life imprisonment for conspiracy and rape.

Judge Adekunle Adeleye said: “I am of the opinion that the prosecution has established the elements of rape against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. He is found guilty as charged. He is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”

According to the chargesheet, the offence was committed on or about 29 January 2018 at Oke-Ureje, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, when the accused conspired with other at-large persons to rape a 14-year-old girl.

The offence contravenes Section 516 of the Penal Code, 31 of the Child Rights Act, Caps C16 and C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In her statement in court, the victim said she went out to buy garri and sugar and on her way home, she was stopped by three men who covered her mouth and later took her to an unfinished building where they all had sex with her. She added that she recognized the accused among them.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, called five witnesses while presenting the accused’s confession as evidence.

The defendant defended himself through his lawyer Chris Omokhafe and did not call any witnesses.