A 25-year-old man, Raji Ridwan has been sentenced to three years of imprisonment with hard labour for attempted rape by an Osun State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ila-Orangun.
The court on Friday, June 20, passed its judgment following Ridwan’s arrest by operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps.
The Operatives had investigated his unlawful entry into a female hostel at the Federal University of Science, Ila-Orangun, where he attempted to sexually attack a female student.
Ridwan, according to court proceedings, sneaked into the hostel at night and tried to assault one of the residents. However, the victim fought back and raised the alarm, which alerted neighbours and fellow students, prompting them to come to her aid.
He fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after, during a coordinated manhunt organised by the Osun Amotekun Corps. The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime upon his arrest and was arraigned before Magistrate Ibukun Adeniran on a single count of attempted rape. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
During the trial, the prosecution presented Ridwan’s confessional statement through the investigating officer from the Osun Amotekun Corps, along with the testimony of a key witness. Magistrate Adeniran ruled that Ridwan’s actions violated Section 359 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. She subsequently convicted him and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine.
In response to the court’s decision, the Osun Amotekun Corps reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly in addressing sexual and gender-based violence throughout the state. The corps praised the victim’s bravery and the vigilance of residents, whose swift intervention led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the offender.
Do you think the 3-year sentence is adequate for the crime, or should there be harsher punishment for attempted rape?