By Adewale Momoh, Akure
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, yesterday, remanded a 60-year-old man, Samuel Gbadamosi at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, for having carnal knowledge of a teenager.
Gbadamosi was arraigned on a one-count charge of rape. He was accused of committing the crime on January 4, 2023, at about 5:30 p.m., at the New Site, Obasekola Street, Owo, Ondo-State.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Augustine Omhenemhen, who narrated before the court how the crime was committed, Gbadamosi perpetrated the crime when the 16-year-old victim, Miss Jimisola Adenegan, went to collect Jamb textbooks from his daughter, who is her friend.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 357 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, (Volume 1), laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty, stressing that he did not forcefully have sexual intercourse with the victim.
Gbadamosi claimed he did not force himself on the victim, as he told the court that Jimisola agreed to have intercourse with him of her own volition.
He said: “I did not force the girl, both of us agreed to have sex.”
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre pending the issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
On his part, counsel to the Defendant, Amuluru, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, promising to provide concrete evidence and reliable sureties.
In her ruling, Magistrate O.R. Yakubu ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Center, pending advice from the DPP.
The case was adjourned until April 27, 2023.
Source: The Guardian
