Okada Rider Bags 7yrs Imprisonment over Involvement in Gang Raping
The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced an Okada rider, Monday Olukunle, also known as Seaman, to seven years imprisonment for his involvement in the gang rape of a sixteen-year-old at an uncompleted building.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala found the defendant guilty of conspiracy and abduction but acquitted him of defilement due to lack of evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge emphasized that the prosecution failed to present key witnesses to establish the guilt of the defendant.
“The alleged victim did not testify or identify the defendant. It is important to note that neither the individuals who arrested the defendant, the alleged friend, nor the Chairman of the Estate testified regarding the charge of defilement linking the defendant to the direct act. These witnesses are crucial in establishing the guilt of the defendant. Therefore, the court finds that the prosecution failed to prove that the defendant indeed defiled the victim.”
The judge said that the evidence of PW2 and PW3 sufficiently corroborates the fact of the confession of the convict, and the Court finds that the attempt to dissociate him from the entirety of the events of the incident is an afterthought and holds not much weight in view of the facts before the Court.
The judge ordered that the convict term shall commence from the date of remand, which is the 30th day of September 2022 and shall be concurrent.
According to the three count charges preferred against the convict, the police alleged that Monday Olukunle A.K.A Seaman and another (now at large) on September 30 2022 at No. 15, Ralitu Daramola Street, Abogunleko, Ikotun area in the Ikeja Judicial Division conspired to abduct the survivor to an uncompleted building to gang rape her.
During the trial, the prosecutor called three witnesses who were a medical doctor Nnani Nkechi Jane, Mordi David and Police Inspector Yemi Amoo, while the convict solely defended himself.
