From: Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
A 15-year-old boy, Quadri Alowonle, has been dragged to an Oyo State Juvenile Court, sitting at Iyaganku, Ibadan, for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl (names withheld).
The victims is reported to be a JSS 1 pupil.
The accused was said to have committed on March 16, 2017 at Fatusi Area, Off Mayegun Road, near Olomi-Academy, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.
Daily Sun’s investigation revealed that the victim’s parent house is in front of the accused’s parents residence.
On the fateful day, the victim and her younger brother left their house with a view to fetching water from a nearby well and they had to pass through the frontage of the accused minor’s house.
When Quadri saw the victim passing in front of his residence, he called her to come into the house so that he could return a Yoruba movie CD, entitled: Alowonle, which he earlier borrowed from the house of the victim.
But the victim, as gathered, told her younger brother, who is nine years, to collect the CD. Quadri was said to have insisted that the victim should come into his residence to collect the CD.
Quadri reportedly locked the door immediately the girl entered the house and covered her mouth with clothes. Her younger brother outside was said to have raised the alarm and the defendant allegedly came out and dragged him into the house and also covered his mouth with clothes, before he purportedly had carnal knowledge of the girl.
The defendant reportedly helped the girl to wash her pant, which was said to have been soaked with blood, after the alleged rape.
The girl was said to have been given two years scholarship in by the management of the school she attends based on her outstanding academic performance and she is currently in the first year of the scholarship.
Residents of the area stated that the girl was taken to a private hospital at Olomi area and later Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan for medical attention.
Quadri was later arrested by the police and arraigned in court on March 24, 2017. The prosecuting police officer, Ojeleye Sunday, preferred one count change against the accused, saying he had committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 360 of the criminal code cap 38, Volume II Laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000.
But the accused pleaded not guilty and the chief presiding magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Akanni, adjourned the case till yesterday.
When the matter came up yesterday, the prosecutor informed the court that landlords in Fatusi Area have started threatening the victim’s father that he should allow the matter to be settled out of court. But the father of the victim insisted that the matter must be taken to court.
The court, however, warned in strong terms that the parties to should maintain peace in the community and there should be no threat against any party on the matter any longer. She adjourned the case to May 25, 2017.