Court Remands NSCDC Operative for Alleged Rape in Ekiti

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti has ordered the detention of an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olukayode Adebayo, in the Correctional Centre for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

This was sequel to the granting of an ex-parte application brought before the court to remand the accused person pending the time the police would complete investigation into the matter.

In her ruling, Magistrate Mojisola Salau said remanding the defendant would allow the police to complete their investigation and afford the Prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adeniyi, to duplicate the case file and send same to office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

According to the charge, Olukayode, an officer of the NSCDC attached to the Ekiti State Command, was reasonably suspected to have committed an offence of rape on a 13-year-old girl at Peace Avenue, Afao Road, Ado Ekiti on December 25, 2021.

In her statement to the police, the victim said on Christmas day, she went to their shop on the instruction of her mother to buy some banana and kolanut for her, on her way back, the defendant, who was on a motorcycle, met her on the road and asked her to mount the motorcycle to assist her home, and she agreed.

She added that on their way, she took her to an uncompleted building and had carnal knowledge of her and left.

The victim’s cries had attracted passers-by, who took her home to explain to her mother and later reported the incident at the Police Station.

The offence runs contrary to and punishable under Section 31 of the Child Right Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

The case has been adjourned to February 10, 2022, for mentioning.